Cover Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami
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Johnnie Walker master blender Emma Walker and Japanese chef Kei Kobayashi of three-Michelin-starred Kei restaurant in Paris captured this elusive flavour profile in the limited release, which will be launched next month
Umami and whisky might appear to have little in common. But for Emma Walker, the master blender of Johnnie Walker, and Kei Kobayashi, the chef-owner of three-Michelin-starred Kei restaurant in Paris, their desire to push the boundaries of their respective crafts have inspired them to capture this elusive fifth taste with the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami. This is a limited release inspired by the Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
“When chef Kei and I set out to capture the essence of umami, we knew we were taking a step into the unknown by embarking on an exciting journey of flavour exploration… we wanted to bring a truly innovative offering to the world of whisky and flavour,” shared Walker. Thus, in Johnnie Walker’s more than 10 million reserves, only one in 25,000 casks made the cut to have that sought-after flavour profile. Added Walker: “Each of these casks created an umami profile, just like ingredients for a recipe, allowing us to bring the unique character of this innovative whisky to life.”
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Above Johnnie Walker master blender Emma Walker
Above Chef Kei Kobayashi of three-Michelin-starred Kei in Paris
Johnnie Walker master blender Emma Walker
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The resulting expression has a beautiful balance of sweet and savoury flavours intertwined with notes of blood oranges, red berries and sweet wood spice. When you take a sip, the rich flavours embrace the palate before it gives way to a long fruity finish with hints of salt, pepper and smoked meat. The final liquid, shared Kobayashi, is a sensorial interpretation of what he perceives umami to be. He let on that “umami possesses a mysterious quality that ignites our senses, revealing sumptuous taste, complexity and depth—and I believe we have captured this essence in Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami”.
To celebrate the launch of this new limited release, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami will be showcased in a series of events that will commence with a global launch in Paris. Kobayashi will curate an exclusive menu, which will be complemented by the whisky’s sweet and savoury notes.
The release of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami is a testament to Johnnie Walker’s goal of exploring new frontiers in flavour. João Matos, the global marketing and innovation director of Johnnie Walker, said it best: “At Johnnie Walker, we want to push the boundaries of what’s possible in whisky. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami does just that—opening the door to an expression of taste that’s rarely seen in the world of whisky.” With the launch of this limited-edition bottle, they hope that this will inspire a new generation of drinkers to appreciate whisky.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami will be launched globally on October 16, while pre-orders start on October 2, 2023. Find out how you can own this exquisite bottle by clicking here. Drink responsibly. Please visit DrinkIQ.com to find out more.
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Dudi Aureus is the senior dining and travel editor at Tatler Singapore, covering the city’s most exciting restaurants, global travel trends, and the personalities shaping the culinary and lifestyle scenes. She also serves as co-jury chair for the Tatler Best awards in Singapore, celebrating the very best in hospitality. When she’s off duty, she can often be found at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Thai spot, savouring a perfectly balanced pad thai.
