TAIPEI. Diageo Global Travel & Middle East (GTME) has launched The John Walker with travel retailer Tasa Meng Corporation at Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2
Taipei was chosen as the ultra-premium Scotch whisky’s North Asia launch venue, with other regional locations to follow.
As reported, The John Walker – priced at US$3,000 duty free – had earlier made its debut at Singapore Changi Airport. It is described as “the pinnacle of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label marque”.
Bottle number 188 is being auctioned in partnership with Tasa Meng Corporation at Taoyuan International Airport to raise money for the Red Cross.
All proceeds will be donated to the charity to help victims from typhoon Morakot, which hit southern Taiwan on 8 August and left hundreds dead and thousands homeless.
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Sean S. Chu, Chairman of Airline Operators’ Committee – Taoyuan International Airport: “It is a great honour that Taipei Taoyuan International Airport was selected as the airport to launch The John Walker in North Asia” |
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Raymond Cheung: “It was a great honour to have every one of you here to witness the launch of The John Walker, the first in northern Asia, and the second stop after Singapore, to introduce the world preview of The John Walker. This would not have been possible without our amazing relationship with such a trusted partner, Tasa Meng Corporation.” |
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VIPs (left to right) at the official airport launch of The John Walker: Sean S. Chu, Chairman of Airline Operators’ Committee Taoyuan International Airport; Pro Chang, Chairman of The Breast Cancer Foundation; Jeff Liu, Deputy Director of Taoyuan International Airport; Nancy Ku, President of Tasa Meng Corporation |
Guests of honour at The John Walker’s official unveiling included Taoyuan International Airport Deputy Director Jeff Liu; Airline Operators’ Committee – Taoyuan International Airport Chairman Sean S. Chu; Tasa Meng Corporation President Nancy Ku; Tasa Meng Corporation Vice-President Amily Yang; and Professor K J Chang, Chairman of the Foundation of Breast Cancer cum Professor for the Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University.
They were joined by Raymond Cheung, Customer Director Greater China, Diageo Travel Retail Asia Pacific; and Ingrid Tatham, Regional Marketing Manager Diageo Travel Retail Asia Pacific.
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The big moment arrives as (above right to left) Nancy Ku, President of Tasa Meng Corporation; Sean S. Chu, Chairman of Airline Operators’ Committee – Taoyuan International Airport; Raymond Cheung, Customer Director Greater China of Diageo Global Travel & Middle East, Jeff Liu, Deputy Director of Taoyuan International Airport and Novia Lin, a popular Taiwanese model, draw the ceremonial curtain to officially unveil the US$3,000 The John Walker |
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(Left to right) Novia Lin, top Taiwanese model; Jeff Liu, Deputy Director of Taoyuan International Airport; Raymond Cheung, Customer Director Greater China, Diageo GTME Asia Pacific; Sean S, Chu, Chairman of Airline Operators’ Committee Taoyuan International Airport; and Nancy Ku, President of Tasa Meng Corporation |
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Ingrid Tatham, Regional Marketing Manager Diageo GTME Asia Pacific; Novia Lin, top Taiwanese model; Raymond Cheung, Customer Director Greater China, Diageo GTME Asia Pacific; Nancy Ku, President of Tasa Meng Corporation; Nancy Ku, popular Taiwanese TV host; Jeff Liu, Deputy Director Taoyuan International Airport |
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Tasa Meng President Nancy Ku and model Novia Lin (note the pink ribbon support for the Breast Cancer Foundation) |
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A travelling consumer admires The John Walker at Taoyuan International Airport |
With bidding starting at the blend’s recommended retail price of NT$97,500 (US$3,000), whisky aficionados can join the auction at the airport.
Raymond Cheung told guests and media: “It was a great honour to have every one of you here to witness the launch of The John Walker, the first in northern Asia, and the second stop after Singapore, to introduce the world preview of The John Walker.
“This would not have been possible without our amazing relationship with such a trusted partner, Tasa Meng Corporation.”
Sean Chu told guests and media: “It was a great honour that Taipei Taoyuan International Airport has been selected for the launch of The John Walker.”
CHARITY DINNER RAISES OVER US$8,000 FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
The launch was further highlighted with a charity dinner that night hosted by Tasa Meng at The Grand Formosa Regent, attended by many celebrities and VIPs.
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The John Walker is showcased in sumptuous style at the charity dinner |
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The John Walker and Johnnie Walker Blue Label share the billing on the big night |
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The familiar Johnnie Walker striding man takes centre stage at the fuind-raising dinner |
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A special moment as bottle number 88 of The John Walker is unveiled at the charity dinner |
The day’s airport launch was featured over four big screens throughout the night. The John Walker bottle number 88 stole the limelight when it was auctioned for almost three times its retail value at NT$268,000 (US$8,323) to a VIP. All proceeds will be donated to The Breast Cancer Foundation.
MORE STORIES ON THE JOHN WALKER
Diageo unveils The John Walker with DFS Changi; first bottle proceeds to The Smile Train – 25/07/09
