Johnnie Walker releases whisky expressions for 200th anniversary

Diageo Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker has unveiled four new limited-edition whiskey expressions to mark its 200th anniversary.

The four Scotch whisky expressions include Johnnie Walker Blue Label 200th Anniversary Limited Edition Design, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Legendary Eight, John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend and John Walker & Sons Bicentenary Blend.

Diageo Global Scotch director John Williams said: “Our 200th-anniversary releases are inspired by the moment our founder, John Walker, first opened the door to his grocer’s store in Kilmarnock – taking the first step on an incredible journey for Johnnie Walker.

“John’s spark, vision and entrepreneurial fire were the impetus to growing the John Walker name, our business and ultimately a new future for Scotch whisky.

“This year we’re celebrating the steps he first took – steps that have inspired generations of our whisky makers and are at the heart of everything we do today and will do tomorrow.”

Johnnie Walker Blue Label 200th Anniversary Limited Edition Design features illustrations of the journey and pays homage to cities and countries that have been part of the Johnnie Walker story.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Legendary Eight is said to be a smooth, mellow Scotch crafted using rarest whiskies from Johnnie Walker reserves.

Each whisky is said to have been hand-selected from eight legendary distilleries, which existed when Walker began his journey.

John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend is said to be a rich and complex whisky created by drawing inspirations from the flavours found in the Walker family’s grocery store in the 1860s and uses whiskies from distilleries, which were operating at that time.

The fourth expression in the anniversary release, John Walker & Sons Bicentenary Blend, is crafted by the Master Blender Jim Beveridge and his team.

Beveridge said: “Each of these exclusive releases brings a fresh perspective to our 200th-anniversary story and are the perfect way to celebrate this huge moment for Johnnie Walker. It feels very apt to be announcing them this week to coincide with John Walker’s birthday.”