Diageo unveils a new Johnnie Walker blend
Diageo has launched the John Walker & Sons Odyssey, a new Johnnie Walker blend which is being rolled out initially in the Asia Pacific region.
John Walker & Sons Odyssey is described as a “triple malt inspired by the golden era of sea travel”. Developed by master blender Jim Beveridge using Sir Alexander Walker’s hand-written notes, Odyssey has been blended and married in European oak casks to “create a drink that brings to life the House of Walker’s signature big, bold flavours, and delivers exceptional smoothness”.
“I searched a number of distilleries in Scotland for the perfect three whiskies to blend for John Walker & Sons Odyssey. They needed to have the right provenance and pedigree to create the aromas, tastes, flavours and sensations that Sir Alexander was looking for when he created the original blend almost 80 years ago,” said Beveridge.
The blend is said to be inspired by the vision and entrepreneurial spirit of Sir Alexander Walker. The company says John Walker & Sons Odyssey commemorates the 80thanniversary of one of Sir Alexander’s innovations – a whisky decanter that could move to match the motion of the sea. This decanter and blend have been re-envisioned as Odyssey.
James Thompson, Diageo Asia Pacific’s chief marketing officer, said: “We’re delighted to announce the launch of John Walker & Sons Odyssey, a blend that we have expressly created to honour Sir Alexander Walker. Launching John Walker & Sons Odyssey in Asia Pacific ahead of the global roll out demonstrates our commitment to this region and to meeting the unique and evolving tastes of the individual who has a passion for luxury.
“There is an insatiable demand for super deluxe spirits globally and particularly in Asia Pacific. Globally, net sales for scotch whisky are up 12% with most of that growth coming from super deluxe. In Asia Pacific, scotch whisky delivered more than 80% net sales growth, with almost half coming from super deluxe whiskies. We see John Walker & Sons Odyssey as the next step in our luxury journey, and we believe the integration of heritage and progress, provenance and innovation will make it of the utmost interest to luxury connoisseurs in this region” said Thompson.
The crystal-grade glass decanter is said to capture the motion and romance of the sea. When gently pushed, the bottle swings elegantly to and fro and as the case is turned, rotates 360 degrees.