Johnnie Walker Launches AI Powered Project Vision Edition Among Other New releases
On 23 October 2024, Johnnie Walker- the world's number one Scotch Whisky family- launched a highly collectible one-of-a-kind limited edition AI-generated designs in Germany, powered by ‘Project Vision’ a Diageo Breakthrough Innovation to enable unique bottle designs for consumers. This marked the debut of a collection of 5,000 bottles using generative AI in collaboration with graphic artist Andy Gellenberg.
This exclusive collaboration merges Gellenberg’s designs with cutting-edge technology to create a highly collectible range of Johnnie Walker Black Label. Based on the distinctive pop art style he’s known for, Gellenberg created 50 original pieces of artwork that were then enhanced with generative AI to develop the newly launched limited edition collection of 5,000 unique bottle designs. Each bottle has a silhouette of an individual, reflecting the many faces of the modern whisky consumer, enabling each consumer to choose a product that is entirely original, relevant, and reflective of their personal style.
Aligned with the brand’s iconic mantra, Keep Walking, this new launch reflects the brand’s pursuit of progress as it takes further steps into product innovation to excite whisky lovers and newcomers alike.
The pop artist’s collaboration with Johnnie Walker leads to the creation of unique portraits celebrating the vibrant diversity of people worldwide, highlighting how every face and story adds to the bigger picture. It’s about pushing boundaries and showing how creativity and innovation can come together to reflect the beauty of individuality.
The limited edition release is powered by ‘Project Vision’, a Diageo Breakthrough Innovation to enable brands and consumers to have one of a kind unique bottle designs, with possibilities to go beyond a single market place, enabling Diageo to introduce unique bottles at scale to the world. The team, together with Diageo’s R&D experts, has worked with industry leading partners, across AI, pre press and print to bring these unique bottle designs to life. One of the examples of this is the partnership with Hybrid Software BrandZ to ingest the unique AI content generated to create print ready artworks honouring their rich heritage while also setting the stage for a future where individuality and innovation would take centre stage.
This latest innovation builds on the recent limited edition launch of the ‘Blend of Artistry’ project, where visitors to the brand’s brand home in Edinburgh were able to co-create, through the help of generative AI, a Johnnie Walker Blue Label design, based upon the artworks of Scottish artist, Scott Naismith.
The limited-edition Johnnie Walker Black Label x Andy Gellenberg bottle designs will be available for a limited time in Germany, with only 5,000 bottles produced for public purchase. Each bottle will be available exclusively through Johnniewalker.com and at selected retailers at an RRP of €34.99.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Cask Finish
Johnnie Walker Black Label has a long history, dating back to the late 19th century when John Walker Jr of Kilmarnock blended the Extra Special Old Highland which finally emerged in 1909 as the 12 YO Black Label. Its prestige status was trumped with the launch of the super swanky Blue Label in the late 1980s, as well as other older and truly expensive brands, but Black Label has never lost its cache.
Across the world, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label is a recognised currency and symbol of excellence. The classic Black Label is a blend majoring on Diageo’s Four Corners of Scotland distilleries Clynelish in the Highlands, Cardhu in Speyside, malt from Glenknichie and grain from Cameronbridge with a little smoke from Caol Ila, with fillers from Linkwood, Dailuaine and Talisker. The spread of the distilleries led to the Origin Series, with Speyside and Lowlands hitting the market, while Highlands and Islay are awaited.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry finish is the same blend as the 12 year old but with an undisclosed finishing period in sherry casks. They have taken that unmistakable character and exceptional depth of flavour of Black Label and fired it with the mellow sweet smoothness of a sherry finish so that the flavours dance with citrus; it is a taste collision of smooth and sherry – and one that they are extremely proud to add to the collection.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Bold Steps Limited Edition
Inspired by the Brit-Asian ‘culture-clash’ world, Kushiaania’s vibrant design was selected by a panel including an independent judge and is a powerful celebration of self-expression, feminine strength, and joy. Kushiaania’s passion for embracing South Asian tradition with a modern gaze, showing culture and beauty in a way that is uniquely her own, mirrors the ‘Bold Steps’ mission for culture progression.
Johnnie Walker is arguably the most popular and recognisable blended Scotch on the market. Its core range included the standard White Label 6YO, the premium Red Label 9 and then 10 YO and the luxurious Black Label 12 YO, introduced in 1909 and named, quite simply, after their packaging. The White Label was dropped after WWI, reducing the core range to just the two expressions. Other bottlings were to follow, building on the expertise and experience gained fro across the globe. The iconic “striding man” motif was first drawn by Tom Browne in 2008 on the back of a menu card. The premium Blue Label brand was introduced in 1992, and is composed using malt whisky from some of the most sought after distilleries in Diageo’s extensive portfolio. Today, many of these distilleries are only still with us due to their importance to the Johnnie Walker blends during the difficult 1980s period for the industry. A true champion of the whisky world.
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Johnnie Walker Black Label X Squid Game
The bottles are designated with the numbers 001 to 456, which is how many characters are competing in the new series, while prominently highlighting Player No. 456, a key character in the series and also gives consumers the opportunity to ‘pick their player’ via bottle..
Key features of the design include the Johnnie Walker striding man logo donning the show’s green tracksuit, and a 20-degree slanted label with a custom fabric pattern varnish to ‘simulate the texture’ of the green tracksuit.
The partnership kicked off on 1 October 2024 with a takeover of Times Square in New York at 4.56 EST, again nodding to the number of players participating in the game.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby is a smooth whisky with vibrant fruit flavors, including raspberry jam, blackberry pie, figs, plums, and maraschino cherries. A delicate smoke dances gently across the tongue.
You can enjoy Johnnie Walker Black Ruby neat, on the rocks, or in a Whisky Sour cocktail. For an enhanced tasting experience, you can pair it with dark chocolate or aged cheese.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sweet fruits, rich caramel, and a hint of spice.
Palate: Creamy vanilla, honey, brown sugar, ripe berries, tangy citrus, subtle herbal notes, and mellow spices.
Finish: Sweet and complex with remarkable balance.
Overall: Fruity, spicy and a hint of smoke.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby is something a little different for the curious, sophisticated and open-minded travelling consumer. This is a Scotch for those seeking a different aperitif, something with which to craft a unique cocktail or just set the tone as the opening drink for a night ahead.
Johnnie Walker Black Label 200 Years Icons Limited Edition
As a grocer in Kilmarnock, John Walker sold malt whiskies made by others and in 1850, he started blending those malts and earned a good name. With the help of his tea blender, he created just the one personal blended malt, Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, in his lifespan. He died in 1857, and his son Alexander created the Walker Empire, dedicating it to his father. Alex devised the square-based bottle and reduced breakages by 90%! He recruited Captains of ships to act as his agents for a fee. Alex's son, Alexander Walker II proposed the label high on the neck so that it could be clearly seen when on the rear row on a shelf, in the early days before his brands took wings. Once his bottles came onto the front shelves, he proposed the distinctive angled trademark black and gold stripe with gold lettering. He also devised The Swing, an excellent brand in unique bottles that swayed with a ship on the seven seas.
Johnnie Walker Black Label 200 Years Icons exclusive edition celebrates the rich heritage and craftsmanship of Johnnie Walker, a brand that has been synonymous with exceptional quality for over two centuries. With a volume of 1.0L, this limited edition bottle is perfect for collectors and whisky enthusiasts alike. The larger size allows you to savour the smooth and complex flavours of this iconic blend for longer.
Expertly crafted by master blenders, this blended Scotch whisky offers a harmonious balance of flavours. Each sip reveals layers of rich malt, smoky peat, and hints of dried fruits, creating a truly unforgettable drinking experience.
This special edition bottle is adorned with iconic symbols that pay homage to Johnnie Walker's 200 years of excellence. The elegant design and attention to detail make it a standout addition to any whisky collection.
Johnnie Walker Black Label 200th Anniversary Limited Edition Gift Tin 70cl
Born on 25 July 1805, John ‘Johnnie’ Walker celebrated the 200th anniversary of the founding of his grocery in 1820 and later, winery! By 1825, Walker, a teetotaller, was selling spirits, including rum, brandy, gin, and whisky. In short order, he switched to dealing mainly in whisky. Since blending of grain whiskies with malt whiskies was still banned, he sold both blended malt whiskies and grain whiskies. They were sold as made-to-order whiskies, blended to meet specific customer requirements, because he did not have any brand of his own. A thrifty individual, he believed in establishing firm roots before venturing into unknown territory.
John created his whisky brand only in 1850, to a modest beginning with a simplistic name, Johnnie Walker’s Old Kilmarnock. His descendants went on to add better quality blended whiskies under the Old Kilmarnock banner, changed the name in 1865 on their first commercial blend and called it John Walker’s Old Highland Whisky, before registering it as such in 1867. By 1873, they had two blended whiskies in the market, Old Highland at 5 years old and the Special Old Highland at 9 years old. By 1890, the Extra Special Old Highland at 12 years old joined the core group. Using marketing tactics, they rebranded the three in 1909 and made them world-famous.
As part of the festivity surrounding this milestone, a limited edition bottling of Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old was released, designed in collaboration with fashion house Alpha Industries.
Blended to perfection, Johnnie Walker Black Label sets the benchmark in deluxe blended whiskies. Full of flavour with the volume turned up, it is loaded with layers of smooth and delicious big flavour all proudly on show - creamy toffee, rich, sweet and dark fruit and spicy vanilla, all wrapped in sweet smoke. Drawing on flavours from all over Scotland, the world’s most experienced whisky makers bring together 29+ whiskies matured for over 12 years to create the big flavours of Johnnie Walker Black Label, an incredibly smooth balance of big flavours, where no matter how loud one note is, it never drowns another one out. In other words, it is a snapshot of the multitude of fine, deep flavours available from Scotch whiskies from around the country. This Black Label Whisky comes in a gifting tin, making it the perfect gift for whisky enthusiasts.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Icon
Behold, a limited edition release of Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old, dressed up in its Icons attire. A bold new bottle and pack design has been created for one of the most iconic whiskies : Johnnie Walker Black Label, to celebrate during the festive season.
This is a cracking blended Scotch whisky, boasting a softly smoky edge wafting through the waves of caramel and honeyed fruit notes. This iconic cutting-edge design is an ideal option if you need a gift for someone who appreciates good whisky or who enjoys timeless classics like Johnnie Walker Black label. It is a limited edition bottle (The Johnnie Walker black label whisky inside the bottles remain unchanged) and it will only be available for the festive season. A favourite of many, suitable for sipping neat or with one’s favourite mixer. Taking malt and grain whiskies matured for over 12 years from all over Scotland, the iconic blend has an unparalleled depth of flavours drawn from all over Scotland. This Johnnie Walker Black Label is full of its highly appreciated signature flavours topped off with the ephemeral waft of smoke finish.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Winter spice and treacle, hints of white pepper and a little citrus.
Palate: Rich and full with notes of wood smoke and dry spice, hints of barley and cereal with creamy toffee and a distinct herbal note.
Finish: Quite fruity and long with a note of sultanas and mixed peels. Distant smoke.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Limited Centenary Edition 1909-2009
The three Johnnie Walker brands had the standard Johnnie Walker labels, a small one on the neck and the main angled label on the body, the only difference being their colours: white, red, and black, respectively. They were commonly referred to in public by the colours of their labels. In 1909, as part of a rebranding that saw the introduction of the Striding Man, a mascot used to the present day that was created by cartoonist Tom Browne, the company re-branded their blends to match the common colour names. The Old Highland was renamed Johnnie Walker White Label and made at 6 years old, the Special Old Highland became Johnnie Walker Red Label at 10 years old, and Extra Special Old Highland was renamed Johnnie Walker Black Label, remaining 12 years old. The labels were all angled at 24° featuring their brand colour, with distinctive gold stripes and bold lettering to make full use of the extra space available.
A follow-up to the 2009 anniversary edition, this latest, limited release Centenary Edition continues a strong tradition of celebrating Walker's virtues, this time featuring striking, distinctive black and gold packaging. Certain to please the collector's eye, and the palate of the Johnnie devotees. An exceptional celebration of the Johnnie Walker legacy, the Johnnie Walker Black Label Limited Centenary Edition 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky is a tribute to the brand's 100th anniversary. Crafted from a selection of Scotland's most coveted whiskies and aged for 12 years, this special edition blend offers a smooth and intricate flavour profile. With hints of honey, smoke, and oak that gracefully linger on the palate, it's an ideal choice for commemorating special moments or gifting to the whisky connoisseur in your circle.
Johnnie Walker Black Label The Director’s Cut 49% ABV
Blade Runner 2049, the sequel to the original film, opened in theatres in 2017 and a new whisky – Johnnie Walker Black Director’s Cut – was announced at the same time. Johnnie Walker Black Label was featured in Blade Runner as the whisky consumed by several characters. The bottle was even designed to look futuristic. So when the chance to appear in the new film presented itself, Johnnie Walker did more than just bottle the same whisky in a redesigned bottle. Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve and Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge blended a new Black Label whisky with a few visionary changes and tweaks.
Only extremely limited quantities are currently available. The new blend comes thirty-five years after Johnnie Walker Black Label appeared in the original Blade Runner film as an iconic whisky of the future. The unique, custom blend and the futuristic bottle that is the Johnnie Walker Black Label The Director’s Cut is a dark, rich, smooth blend, with sweet fruity vanilla flavours and clouds of smokiness. It is bottled at 49% ABV as a nod to the futuristic period in which Blade Runner 2049 is set.
The limited edition whisky is bottled at 49% ABV, a nod to the year the new film takes place. More than 30 whiskies are used in the blend. The higher ABV makes the whisky a bit bolder in character, but easily drinkable to those used to the low 40% ABV of Johnnie Walker Black. Johnnie Walker Black Label Director’s Cut does a great job of paying homage to the original blend by building a similar whisky but with enough of a modern upgrade to keep things interesting for JW fans, even though NAS. Director’s Cut is similiar enough in flavour profile, but elevated in tasting experience thanks in part to the higher ABV.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Plus Discovery Set
A premium tasting experience of an iconic whisky's range with Johnnie Walker Black Label Plus Discovery Set. Featuring one bottle of our unmistakably smooth Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky and mini bottles of Double Black Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years and Blue Label, this gift set offers a chance to explore some of our most cherished blends. Created using only Scotch whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years from the four corners of Scotland, Johnnie Walker Black Label has an unmistakably smooth, deep, complex character. These spirits are impressive blended Scotch whiskies to share on any occasion. Includes one 40%ABV 750 mL bottle of Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky, one 50 ml bottle of Double Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky, one 50 mL bottle of Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky, one 50 mL bottle of Aged 18 Years Blended Scotch Whisky and one 50 mL bottle of Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky.
The Black Label
Instead of popping the cork, unscrew the top and let the liquid breathe for roughly ten minutes. The golden amber colour is, of course, the favour that the E150a renders, but the minimalist bottle is a good touch. A squared off bottle with a one simple small diagonal black, gold, and white label and a smaller decal at the centre bottom showing its twelve year age statement.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A rather nice nose. Honey, dates, wafts of Highland smoke, vanilla and some lemon peel and plums.
Palate: Sweetness and smoke. The Highland smoke, vanilla, and plums mix well together. The honey from the nose is not as pronounced but it is clearly there. Malt comes forward. Oakiness is in the mix. Simple and pleasant.
Finish: Long. Honey malt-forward, light smoke lingers as does the sweet note.
Overall: The finish on this lasts forever. A somewhat sweet blend, just where it should be - lots of honey and honey malt, stone fruits, and enough smoke to represent the blends inside without being a distraction.
The Master’s Cut: In Honour Of Master Blender Jim Beveridge
Few master blenders can be said to have walked where Jim Beveridge has walked. A legacy built and blended across more than forty years, Johnnie Walker Master’s Cut embodies a life’s work in a unique blend of just two whiskies. Perfectly balanced, deceptively simple – the ultimate expression of a master blender.
Johnnie Walker’s ‘The Master’s Cut’ For World Whisky Day 2023
Johnnie Walker launched the ultimate legacy blend from former Master Blender and renowned whisky-maker Dr. Jim Beveridge on World Whisky Day 2023 (Saturday 20th May). The Master’s Cut is a perfectly balanced blend of whiskies from just two distilleries – Roseisle and Cameronbridge – both of singular renown. Jim blended the two to create a spectacularly rich, smooth Scotch Whisky that embodied the craft of blending. This blend paid homage to the Johnnie Walker past and celebrates the brand’s journey into the future.
Having retired from his role in December 2021, Jim Beveridge returned to create ‘The Master’s Cut’ as a new, super-limited edition Scotch that celebrated the very essence of blending and Scotch. Only 1,000 bottles of Johnnie Walker Master’s Cut were available to purchase at Johnnie Walker Princes Street– the brand experience in Edinburgh, and in select markets after that, making it a rare collectible for fans of the iconic Scotch.
The Cameronbridge grain whisky is lovely and sweet on its own, but lacks just a touch of texture, whereas the Roseisle malt whisky is fresh and green fruits but lacking a bit on the finish. The combination of both whiskies brings out the strengths in the other, while masking the bits lacking in each individual whisky. The finish itself is the outstanding character of the Master’s Cut whisky. It is well-rounded, rich and has that golden characteristic often found in older whiskies.
Jim Beveridge’s retirement came after a four-decade career in whisky during which time he was responsible for some of the world’s most popular and acclaimed Scotch whisky blends including Johnnie Walker Blue Label. His commitment to developing the ultimate whisky flavours began when he started his career with Johnnie Walker as an analytical chemist before going on to establish himself as one of the most highly respected figures in the industry.
The 700ml bottle carries a 40% ABV and has a RRP of £1000 per bottle.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Bright, pale gold.
Body: Light / Medium.
Nose: Fresh summer fruit with a vanilla sweetness. Sliced apples, soft pears, and ripe banana give way to aromas of rich caramel and sweet molasses. Notes of confectionary, milk chocolate and marzipan gently weave through the senses.
Palate: Sweet baked caramel and rich butterscotch pair with fresh aromas to create a burst of richness, building to a gentle syruping sweetness that fills the palate.
Finish: Crisp fruit, elderflower and cherry blossom in an envelope of seasoned oak, combining with a soft warming sweetness to finish.
Overall: The skill in bringing two voices together in perfect harmony is what makes this whisky so compelling – the floral orchard fruits of the grain complementing the richer single Malt tones beautifully.
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