Johnnie Walker unveils world’s lightest whisky glass bottle

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is the result of five years of experimenting and pushes the boundaries of luxury, craft and innovation

The world’s lightest 70cl Scotch whisky glass bottle was unveiled at London Design Festival, where Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a Major Partner

Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch whisky¹ has today unveiled a limited edition first-of-its kind, boundary-breaking innovation. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is the brand’s lightest 70cl Scotch whisky glass bottle to date and to the best of the brand’s knowledge and research, the world’s lightest 70cl Scotch whisky glass bottle² . The design takes bold strides and dares to experiment with a recognised paradigm of luxury.

Five years ago, Johnnie Walker set out with a specific ambition; to move the spirits industry forward. Having noticed that many luxury categories were heading in a new direction – ‘delicate’, rather than ‘heavy’ – the brand sought to experiment with one of its most luxury whiskies. Aiming to push the boundaries of lightweighting glass, all in the name of progress.

At just 180g without the closure, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra bottle has been created by adopting a test-and-learn model, designing and exploring without limitation and imagining what the future of lightweight luxury packaging could bring. Along with external glass makers, the brand rethought all aspects of how the bottle is designed, made and transported: from hand-blowing the glass, to using a teardrop shape which, for the first time ever, meant reforming the iconic Johnnie Walker square bottle.

The result is an industry-first that, as well as achieving exquisite beauty, showcases what luxury, lighter-weight, lower-carbon bottles of the future could look like. As part of the Diageo Spirit of Progress action plan, Johnnie Walker aims to reduce the weight of glass used in its packaging; an ambition that is aimed at reducing the amount of carbon emissions associated with packaging.³

Whilst the technology is not yet available to launch bottles of this weight at scale, permanently, the knowledge Johnnie Walker has garnered is already being applied to lightweighting projects across the Diageo portfolio. In the course of its five years of research, the brand has been granted a UK patent⁴ and to encourage further progress in the industry – and in a first for Diageo – a license to the patent will be offered on a royalty-free basis to anyone in the world who wishes to share in these discoveries.

A new Johnnie Walker Blue Label expression was blended for this exquisite bottle by Dr. Emma Walker, the Johnnie Walker Master Blender. For this release, Dr. Emma Walker sought out liquids from distilleries such as Oban, Brora and Royal Lochnagar, as well as a variety of ‘ghost whiskies’, first made in distilleries that have since closed.

In celebration of this technological breakthrough only 888 bottles will be ever produced. A limited number of these limited-edition bottles will be released for sale in 2025 in selected markets worldwide (RRP £1000).

The bottle will be unveiled at London Design Festival on Saturday 14^th September. Johnnie Walker is a Major Partner of the festival and has partnered with designers Marshmallow Laser Feast to create a Landmark Project installation at the Old Selfridges Hotel in Marylebone, celebrating the design elements of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra.

Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director, Jennifer English said, “Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is a truly progressive stride forward for Johnnie Walker, Diageo and the industry. We didn’t know what we were going to be able to achieve when we set out to push the boundaries of luxury, and the result is something that many said would not be possible.

This new, lightweight bottle is a thing of exquisite beauty; but more importantly, it demonstrates what is possible when it comes to lightweighting glass. We will continue applying these learnings across our range, taking more progressive strides as we look to the future of Scotch.”

Global Design Director at Diageo, Jeremy Lindley who led the design project, said, “Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra was born out of an ideation session looking at the future of luxury. With other categories moving towards lightweight – such as eyewear and high-performance cycling – we questioned whether luxury spirits could follow suit.

“We took our vision to a team of expert glassmakers and throughout a five year test-and-learn process slowly discovered how to create elegant, lightweight glass. The technical challenges that lightweighting presents led us to incorporate various design and production specifications that we could not have envisaged at the start of our journey; from the requirement of a tear drop shape which we have moulded to still mimic the iconic square form of Johnnie Walker bottles, to the addition of a protective cage to allow for a round base, and the hand-making and filling of each individual bottle to avoid damages in production.

“Rather than hold this new knowledge close to our chest, we’re excited to be offering a royalty-free licence to our granted UK patent to the world. We hope that our discoveries will have a positive impact within the wider industry and help discover new possibilities for lighter, lower carbon packaging alternatives.”

¹IWSR 2023.

²To verify and obtain more information, please contact us at press@diageo.com. The previously claimed ‘lightest weight Scotch whisky bottle’ was launched by a UK retailer and weighed around 298 grams.

³Actual savings would be project and product dependent, but in general, independent studies show that, all else equal, for every gramme of glass reduced that means over half a gramme less carbon emissions in production.
– Source: British Glass UK glass manufacturing sector decarbonisation roadmap to 2050 page 6.

⁴Diageo has submitted filings to have its granted UK Patent No. GB2616831 B endorsed as licensable of right on the UKIPO patent register, and interested parties are invited to request a standard royalty free, non-exclusive licence from Diageo.

About Johnnie Walker: 
Johnnie Walker is the world’s number 1 Scotch Whisky brand* (IWSR 2023) & the world’s number one International Spirits Brand* (IWSR 2023 Relative Market Share), enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above all else.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Blonde, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label. Together they account for over 22 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2023). Johnnie Walker is also the number one best-selling Scotch and number one trending Scotch (Drinks International, 2024).

*By RSV 2023

About Diageo:
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

EDEN MILL RELEASE RARE PEDRO XIMÉNEZ SINGLE CASK BOTTLING

Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill has released an ex-Pedro Ximénez single cask bottling, representing the first in a series of rare single cask bottlings from the St Andrews-based brand.

After almost nine years ageing inside a PX cask, the spirit has taken on a beautiful deep, dark brown sherry colour – bursting with rich flavours of fig and raisin with an underlying hint of oak and red berries. The finish is sweet and woody, with a pleasant dry note coming from the European Oak.

The new release is bottled at cask strength 58.3% ABV and is limited to just 252 bottles. Whisky fans can get their hands on this limited release from Thursday November 21st. 

Commenting on the release, Scott Ferguson, Head Distiller at Eden Mill, said: “The entire team was blown away by the quality of this single malt. It’s got a very deep, rich colour thanks to the Pedro Ximénez cask. Exclusive maturation in this cask type creates a truly special whisky. It is the dream dram for those who love heavily sherried whiskies – sticky, sweet and warming – ideally enjoyed round a fire on a cold night this festive season.”

The release is only available on Eden Mill’s website, with a small quantity in their St Andrews-based shop on 96 Market Street, priced at £110.  Visit edenmill.com/products/px-single-cask

Eden Mill’s new distillery is located just seven minutes from St Andrews and will commence distillation early 2025 before opening its doors to the public in spring.

Eden Mill Pedro Ximénez Single Cask

• Cask strength, 58.3% ABV
• Exclusively matured in an ex-Pedro Ximenez cask
• Filled 4th January 2016, bottled 23rd October 2024
• Outturn of just 252 bottles
• Exclusive to edenmill.com and Eden Mill’s St Andrews shop
• £110

Eden Mill

Eden Mill distillery, established in 2012 on the banks of the Eden Estuary in St Andrews, was the first distillery to make spirits in the region in over 150 years. Today, Eden Mill has a unique selection of limited release Single Malts, and an extensive gin portfolio crafted from the finest botanicals, many sourced from in and around Fife..

Eden Mill has an ambition to create the finest gins and Scotch Whiskies with minimal environmental impact combining traditional distilling techniques with innovation. Eden Mill is building a stunning new distillery at the mouth of the river Eden, overlooking the iconic, historic town of St Andrews. The new distillery sits at the heart of the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, a unique site dedicated to sustainable businesses and research.

EDEN MILL WHISKY SELLS-OUT IN TWENTY FOUR HOURS

Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill yesterday sold out its Pedro Ximénez single cask release after just 24 hours.  The new release represents the first in a series of rare single cask bottlings from the St Andrews-based brand.

Bottled at cask strength 58.3% ABV, there was an outturn of just 252 bottles which sold out at record pace. After almost nine years ageing inside a PX cask, the spirit has taken on a beautiful deep, dark brown sherry colour – bursting with rich flavours of fig and raisin with an underlying hint of oak and red berries.

Commenting on the overnight success, Hannah Ingram, Head of Marketing at Eden Mill, said: “Releasing a new whisky is always exciting. But to sell through all 252 bottles in a day is really quite incredible! We’re already excited to explore what the next dram in this series will be.

“With our distillery build in its final stages and distillation due to begin early next year, this launch also stands as a reminder of just how excited our fans are to get their hands on our single malts and join us on this exciting journey.”

The release was exclusively available on Eden Mill’s website, with a small quantity at its St Andrews-based shop on 96 Market Street, priced at £110.

Eden Mill Pedro Ximénez Single Cask

• Cask strength, 58.3% ABV
• Exclusively matured in an ex-Pedro Ximenez cask
• Filled 4th January 2016, bottled 23rd October 2024
• Outturn of just 252 bottles

Eden Mill

Eden Mill distillery, established in 2012 on the banks of the Eden Estuary in St Andrews, was the first distillery to make spirits in the region in over 150 years. Today, Eden Mill has a unique selection of limited release Single Malts, and an extensive gin portfolio crafted from the finest botanicals, many sourced from in and around Fife..

Eden Mill has an ambition to create the finest gins and Scotch Whiskies with minimal environmental impact combining traditional distilling techniques with innovation. Eden Mill is building a stunning new distillery at the mouth of the river Eden, overlooking the iconic, historic town of St Andrews. The new distillery sits at the heart of the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, a unique site dedicated to sustainable businesses and research.

Whisky Auctioneer November Auction

22.11 – 02.12.24

Now Live: November Auction

A warm welcome to our November auction. Featuring over 8,500 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

This month, we are thrilled to feature The Macallan TIME : SPACE 84 year old, making its global auction debut at Whisky Auctioneer. This extraordinary dual-chamber vessel contains two remarkable whiskies: an 84-year-old vintage distilled in 1940 – the oldest ever released by Macallan – and a 2018 vintage bottled in 2024, representing the distillery’s future.

Alongside this, we’re thrilled to present standout lots such as the Old Malt Cask bottlings of Port Ellen and Ardbeg, the Laphroaig 1967 Samaroli, the Ardbeg Special Liqueur by D&J MacEwen from the 1950s, and remarkable old and rare Japanese whiskies from Karuizawa and Kawasaki – plus many more.

Browse the highlights below for more insights and start bidding today!

 Macallan TIME : SPACE 84 Year Old

Legendary Old Malt Cask bottlings for the Plowed Society (Port Ellen & Ardbeg)

Celtic Heartlands Collaboration Bottles (Bowmore 1968, Macallan 1969, Bunnahabhain 1966)

Karuizawa The Golden Age of Showa

Rare and Vintage Glenfiddich (Glenfiddich 1958 Private Vintage, 1955 Private Vintage, 1974 Rare Collection & 19 Rare Collection)

DECADENT DRAMS TEANINICH – 13 YEAR OLD

A single, 1st fill hogshead of Teaninich 2011. This is rich, robust, full-bodied, modern highland malt whisky, but with a slightly old school, waxy character at its heart. In that sense it’s a whisky with multiple personalities, rather like Ozark the Drambot, who adorns the lovely retro scifi label for this bottling. A hugely satisfying and drinkable dram and a good price.

This is simultaneously both a modern and an old school whisky. It is delicious but discombobulating. You will probably find yourself, much like our label cover star, Ozark the Drambot, confounded and existentially torn between the incompatible dualities of his existence. However, we would appreciate it if you didn’t focus too much on that outcome and still purchased bottles like a dutiful consumer.

£87.95 incVAT

Booker’s “Beam House Batch” #2024-02 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $99.99 View

This limited-edition release aged 7 years, 2 months, and 29 days in charred oak barrels.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

ralfy review 1054 Extras – I’m going to share some of my experience !

A. SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY RELEASES OAK SERIES: AMERICAN OAK, SECOND IN ITS EXPERIMENTAL SERIES EXPLORING OAK VARIETALS

This 12-year-old limited-edition bourbon whiskey will be available to order via an online lottery November 25 – December 2, 2024

FREDERICKSBURG, VA (November 13, 2024) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery today announces the release of Abraham Bowman Oak Series: American Oak, the second experimental whiskey to debut from its Abraham Bowman Oak Series. Following the March 2024 inaugural series release featuring French Oak, the Abraham Bowman Oak Series explores cask maturation in different oak varietals from around the world, as well as the effect charring has on the flavor of whiskey. For its second release, A. Smith Bowman Distillery introduces the classic American White Oak to the Abraham Bowman Oak Series.

“We know American White Oak as today’s trusted wood for aging whiskey, but this experiment is about testing numerous oak varietals in pursuit of making the best whiskey possible” said A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s Head Distiller David Bock. “American Oak, as the tried-and-true oak for whiskey making, is a vital part of this experiment as we compare numerous experimental oak options.” 

Abraham Bowman Oak Series: American Oak is made from a blend of liquids aged in charred American White Oak barrels. Though American White Oak is the industry standard, most bourbons typically age in these barrels anywhere from four to six years. American Oak, however, is aged for 12 years and brings an exciting new dynamic in the Distillery’s pursuit of making the best whiskey possible. With its smooth flavor and beautiful color, this bourbon exemplifies the richness and quality resulting from aging in American White Oak barrels.

Bottled at 135 proof, Abraham Bowman Oak Series: American Oak has a vibrant red color indicative of prolonged maturation. On the nose it has a sweet aroma of tart apple and dried berries. The pallet features a balance of complex flavors, with an immediate taste of raspberry jam followed by hints of a smokey undertone. The finish is exceptionally smooth with persistent sweetness lingering throughout.

“Immediately, what stood out to me was how different American Oak was in comparison to our John J. Single Barrel Bourbon, which is aged for about 9.5-10 years,” said Bock. “A whiskey that has sat for 12+ years has the potential be too oak forward, but I am very pleased that American Oak has a delicious balance of flavor components. When blending American Oak, we landed at 135 proof to showcase the tart apple paired with hints of pepper notes, which makes a really enjoyable spirit that I think our fans will love.”

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection of whiskeys began in 2010 to celebrate the legacy of Abraham Bowman, the great-grandfather of the Distillery’s founder, Abram Smith Bowman. Each edition of the Abraham Bowman Collection reflects innovation and creativity coming from our previous Master Distillers Joe Dangler, the late Truman Cox, Brian Prewitt and current Head Distiller David Bock. Previous releases in the Abraham Bowman Collection have explored different mash bills, aging techniques, proofs, finishes and more.

Abraham Bowman Oak Series: American Oak is exclusively available for purchase through an online lottery. The lottery runs November 25 – December 2. Consumers nationwide are invited to enter the lottery, however winners MUST pick-up their bottle in-person at the A. Smith Bowman Gift Shop when purchasing. Limit one entry per person. To enter, please submit a form here. Winners will be randomly selected on December 4 and notified via email immediately following the selection. Those selected must pick up their bottles before 5:00pm on December 22. Each bottle will be sold at the suggested retail price of $79.99, excluding state taxes and fees.

For more information about the Abraham Bowman Collection, visit asmithbowman.com/spirits.

About A. Smith Bowman Distillery

As Virginia’s oldest distillery, A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s rich history dates back to 1927, when Abram Smith Bowman purchased 7,200-acres in Fairfax County, Virginia. Named Sunset Hills Farm, the Bowman Family were grain and dairy farmers until the fields became so abundant that Bowman needed a use for the excess grain. In 1934, he built a groundbreaking distillery on the farmland and, with the help of his two sons, produced the first-ever batch of Virginia Gentleman Whiskey.

Today, the historic distillery has relocated 60 miles away to Fredericksburg, where it operates as a small, family-owned company continuing the time-honored traditions on which it was founded, producing premium handcrafted spirits in small batches and experimental editions that embody innovation at its core. Award-winning products produced at A. Smith Bowman Distillery include Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon, John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon, A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection, Deep Run Vodka, Sunset Hills Gin, George Bowman Caribbean Rum and Mary Hite Bowman Caramel Bourbon Cream, among others. In 2023, Cask Strength won Gold medals at multiple competitions including the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the American Whiskey Masters.

For more information on A. Smith Bowman Distillery, visit asmithbowman.com.

LATEST COLLABORATION FROM BENROMACH CREATES MODERN TAKE ON DISTILLERY WORKWEAR

–Reworked 348 design distiller’s jacket using handmade techniques —

Benromach has blended the worlds of fashion and whisky to reimagine the workwear jacket traditionally worn by distillery workers over past centuries. And those who love the design – not to mention the award-winning single malt – can secure a limited-edition garment for themselves.

Created in partnership with Reworked 348, based the Derby, England, the design of the new ‘coverall’ jacket was directly influenced by the distillery team at Benromach. Their brief was brought to life by Reworked 348’s head designer Sally Harnden. Handmade techniques, handed down through the generations, were then used to create the finished garments, mirroring Benromach’s ethos to making their award-winning single malt whisky.

Similar coverall, or ‘chore’, jackets have been worn by distillery workers for centuries. But similar styles have recently seen a comeback in men’s contemporary workwear and utility trends, with people appreciating the workmanship and quality delivered by handmade products. As the name suggests, Reworked 348 tend to use recycled materials, with each Benromach jacket individually deconstructed and reconstructed from workwear originally made in the 1990s.

Created using traditional workwear construction, the distiller’s coverall jacket – made from 100% cotton herringbone in black with accents of Benromach red – provides essential durability and breathability for a working environment that can get hot. With functionality at the forefront of the brief, the jacket is equipped with two diagonal pockets for quick access and an inner pocket ideal for tools.

Safety features, such as cuffs that can be both buttoned and rolled up, as well as cleverly concealed front buttons have been thoughtfully integrated into the design. In an authentic black, the jackets provide practicality with a smart and stylish twist.

Murdo Mackenzie, Production Manager at Benromach, said: “Reworked 348’s approach aligns perfectly with ours in terms of using traditional handmade skills to create something special. It was great for them to come up and see us at work in Speyside, and then for me to visit their studio to create a product of great quality and character – just like our whisky.”

Sally Harnden, from Reworked 348, added: “Our goal is to bring products to life in authentic ways, with great attention to detail. So, when Benromach approached us, there was an immediate, natural fit. We are very proud of the end result and will be sitting down for a well-earned dram when the design is revealed to the world and people have the opportunity to buy one for themselves.” 

The Benromach Distiller’s Coverall Jacket (£130) is handmade to order from the Reworked website [reworked348.com], with a small number of jackets available at the distillery visitor centre, in Forres, Speyside.

For more information on Benromach Distillery, please visit: www.benromach.com/reworked-348

About Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life by owners Gordon & MacPhail in 1993.

At Benromach, the team keep things simple: a handful of distillers relying entirely on their expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky.

Their processes honour the knowledge and experience used to make Speyside whiskies decades ago, because at Benromach they believe making whisky by hand delivers genuine character. For more information, visit: www.benromach.com

About Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, and the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door.

About Reworked 348
Reworked 348 was launched in February 2020 by a small collective of industry professionals. While the product will always come first, the team couldn’t ignore the negative impact the “regular” production cycle has on the planet and its inhabitants. That’s why they chose a different path. By avoiding the use of new and virgin materials wherever possible, they focus on being creative with what already exists—whether it’s reworking authentic vintage workwear or searching out “new” dead stock fabrics yet to be cut.

Every product is proudly made in the UK, each with its own unique history and story to tell.

The Grand Whisky Auction is now LIVE!

The auction closes on Tuesday 26th November from 9:00pm (GMT)

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