Gen.T+
BlockBar co-founders Sam and Dov Falic discuss the launch of seven pieces of digital art tied to the rare 48-year old Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour whisky
On 31 May, 10.30am Eastern Standard Time, history will be made as two-centuries-old Scotch brand Johnnie Walker launches its first NFT (non-fungible token) collection on BlockBar, an online marketplace for NFTs by luxury wine and spirit brands.
Seven unique animated art created by Kode Abdo, who goes by the moniker BossLogic, will drop in tribute to the taste of generations as found in the limited edition 48-year-old Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour.
The Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour contains 48-year-old whisky from the fabled “ghost” distillers of Glyn Albyn, Port Dundas, Brora and Glenury Royal—a rare and priceless collectible according to whisky aficionados, as the remaining stocks from these shuttered warehouses have diminished. The whisky is also presented in a striking green Baccarat crystal decanter within a bespoke oak cabinet.
With an eye on innovation, they have reimagined the whisky trading experience with redeemable NFTs, allowing just seven bottles to be exclusively paired with a unique piece of digital art and exclusive access to brand experiences.
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Johnnie Walker global brand director Julie Bramham says: “At Johnnie Walker, we’re always challenging ourselves to create unique experiences that people can enjoy and engage with around the world. This innovative collaboration with BlockBar puts Johnnie Walker at the cutting edge of what is possible in whisky, providing something truly unique for whisky aficionados and collectors around the world.”
BlockBar founders Sam and Dov Falic have created their direct-to-customer marketplace precisely to enable these secure, authenticated transactions between brands and collectors. As Dov explains, with the cousins’ accumulated experiences in the luxury wine and spirits industry, they had already had a strong working relationship with Diageo, Johnnie Walker’s parent company, for many years. And then, six months ago, they began to collaborate in earnest on tailoring this first digital release for the group.
With much of BlockBar’s consumer base being in the 25 to 34-year-old age group, Johnnie Walker will extend its luxury whisky's reach to a new generation of collectors.