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LONDON, July 27, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

TODAY, Johnnie Walker, the world's number one Scotch whisky[1], celebrates a

200-year milestone, and looks to the next 200 years of Scotch, with the

announcement of four exclusive limited editions. Each of these 200th

anniversary releases - a new bottle design and three newly crafted whiskies -

are a celebration of the incredible journey, pioneering spirit and dedication

to quality that was started by founder, John Walker, in 1820.  

Diageo Global Scotch Director, John Williams, said: "We wanted to mark our

200-year journey with the launch of these four exclusive limited editions –

they're a celebration of where we've come from but, more than that, they are

each expressions of what's possible today and into tomorrow, and that's

exciting.  

"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."  

Each anniversary release celebrates a unique part of this 200 year journey:

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL 200TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION DESIGN

This new limited edition design features stunning illustrations that bring to

life the 200-year journey of John Walker & Sons and Johnnie Walker, paying

homage to some of the great cities and countries that have been part of this

inspiring story since 1820.

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL LEGENDARY EIGHT

This exclusive release celebrates 200 years of craft.. It is a smooth, mellow

Scotch crafted using whisky hand selected from only eight legendary

distilleries that all existed in 1820, including some very rare expressions

from long-closed "ghost" distilleries.  

JOHN WALKER & SONS CELEBRATORY BLEND

This limited edition release is inspired by a breakthrough moment in John

Walker & Sons' history - the launch of Old Highland Whisky in the 1860s. This

rich and complex Scotch is inspired by the flavours found in the Walker

family's grocery store during that period and is crafted with whiskies from

distilleries operating at the time.

JOHN WALKER & SONS BICENTENARY BLEND

This exceptional whisky is a sensorial journey down the fragrant aisles of John

Walker's original grocery store in Scotland with rich layers that re-imagine

the exotic flavours that shaped John Walker's imagination. It is crafted with

rare and exceptional whiskies, all aged for at least 28 years, including

whiskies from long-closed "ghost" distilleries such as Pittyvaich, Cambus and

soon to be re-opened Port Ellen.

Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Jim Beveridge, said: "Each of these exclusive

releases bring a fresh perspective to our 200th anniversary story and are the

perfect way to celebrate this moment for Johnnie Walker. It feels very apt to

be announcing them this week to coincide with John Walker's birthday[2]."

The launch of these 200th anniversary releases follows the announcement of a

£185 million investment[3] in Scotch tourism from parent company, Diageo, with

a host of new multi-sensory, immersive whisky experiences across Scotland and

their most recent announcement of a new paper-based bottle launching with

Johnnie Walker in 2021[4], a world-first in the drinks industry, to spearhead a

more sustainable future for Scotch as the brand looks to the next 200 years.

All four exclusive releases will launch from October onwards, subject to market

distribution and availability, for a limited period only.*

For further information, please see here:

https://www.johnniewalker.com/en/our-whisky/limited-edition-whiskies/

Notes to Editors:

*Variants, availability and price points will differ per market. Please get in

touch with your local Johnnie Walker team for more information.

About Johnnie Walker:

2020 marks 200 years since Johnnie Walker founder, John Walker, first threw

open the doors to a grocer's shop in Scotland and began a journey that brought

the brand from the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the World.

Today, Johnnie Walker is the world's number one Scotch whisky brand (IWSR 2019)

enjoyed by people in over 180 countries. Since the time of its founder, those

who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above else.

In those early days of John Walker, the business that became Johnnie Walker

carried the name of the founder and during the 19th century the business was

selling whiskies under the name of John Walker & Sons. Consumers began using

Johnnie Walker and the name was  adopted in 1908.

Today's range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label,

Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years and

Blue Label. Together they account for over 19 million cases sold annually

(IWSR, 2018), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the

world.

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of

brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor

whiskies, Smirnoff and Cîroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio,

Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock

Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the

world. 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.

Photo:

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1219288/Johnnie_Walker_200th_Limited_Editions.jpg

[1] IWSR 2019  

[2] John Walker's birthday: 25th July  

[3] 'Flagship Johnnie Walker attraction gets green light'  [

https://www.diageo.com/en/news-and-media/features/flagship-johnnie-walker-attraction-gets-green-light/

]

[4] 'Diageo announces creation of world's first ever 100% plastic free

paper-based spirits bottle' [

https://www.diageo.com/en/news-and-media/features/diageo-announces-creation-of-world-s-first-ever-100-plastic-free-paper-based-spirits-bottle/]

Source:  Johnnie Walker