Diageo Global Travel has relaunched Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18yo blended Scotch whisky in global duty free with a new name and packaging.
Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years, created by Master Blender Dr. Jim Beveridge, is priced at US$100 for a 1-litre bottle and US$85 for 75cl.
The newly styled 18yo is a blend of up to 18 different whiskies. Diageo said the name and packaging celebrate its credentials as “the best 18-year-old blend ever made by Johnnie Walker”.
The whisky is said to provide rich sweet fruit aromas along with toffee caramel, vanilla and a hint of smoke. Tastes of dark fruits, malty cereal, vanilla, fragrant almonds and tangerines also feature, while the finish brings notes of dark chocolate, caramelised citrus peel and light smoke.
Diageo Global Travel Global Marketing Director Anna MacDonald said: “With Johnnie Walker constantly performing as the top-selling spirit brand in travel retail, we’re excited to reveal the new look of this luxury award-winning blend, and to continue driving Johnnie Walker across our duty free stores globally. We know whisky fans and travellers are increasingly interested in 18-year-old Scotch and we believe we have the finest 18-year-old blend in the world.”
[The launch of Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years is supported by a short film which follows Jim Beveridge in his pursuit of the ‘ultimate’ 18-year-old blended Scotch whisky].
Jim Beveridge said: “I find older whiskies fascinating to work with. The great whiskies I’ve selected for this blend have undergone a slow, easy maturation through at least 18 cold winters and warm summers. It’s a long time to wait but these whiskies have a wonderful balance.
“I have chosen up to 18 different whiskies with remarkable flavour and character, including classic Speyside malts, such as Cardhu, Glen Elgin and Auchroisk for their sweetness and elegance; fruity and complex Highland Malts including Blair Athol and beautifully aged Island malts that enable me to introduce such a subtle smokiness.”
