For the first time in honour of Father’s Day on 19 June 2022, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is offering an exclusive whisky tasting adventure at the newly launched Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh.
A Father’s Day first
My taste for fine whisky has developed over time, although I always want to learn more. Whether you are a purist, an aspiring mixologist, or are new to whisky, if you share my thirst for knowledge, The Journey of Flavour experience is a great place to begin to understand whisky and its complex flavours. There is an extra-special element to Johnnie Walker Princes Street by allowing the public access to their most celebrated blended whisky, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, through the limited-edition Father’s Day Whisky and Cheese Tasting Experience.
This multisensory experience is one of four tours held at the Johnnie Walker visitor centre. The former House of Fraser department store on Princes Street has been transformed into a multimillion-pound whisky emporium. In addition to tours, the centre also arranges exclusive whisky tasting events. For example, on Father’s Day, a whisky expert will lead a tasting where each dram is paired with local Scottish cheese.
Whichever tour or tasting you decide to experience, I would recommend that you proceed with an open mind. Try not to judge those who like to dilute their whisky with cola as difficult as that might be! The tour attempts to debunk our common misconceptions on how whisky should be enjoyed. It will also challenge the myth that whisky is only enjoyed by connoisseurs. This tour is a journey of total self-discovery.
But what makes Johnnie Walker Blue Label special?
First things first, we need to appreciate the fine liquid. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an exquisite combination of Scotland’s rarest and most exceptional whiskies. The whisky is created using a selection of rare casks from the Speyside and Highland distilleries as well as Islay malts for the signature smokiness. Only one in every 10,000 casks make the cut. With a dynamic depth of character, you experience a velvety smooth and vibrant whisky with layers of dried fruits and citrus smoke, evolving into honey, sweet spice, and vanilla notes, followed by a long velvety chocolate and smoke finish. It is best served neat along with a few drops of ice-cold water to enhance its smooth and complex character.
The Journey of Flavour
The Journey of Flavour experience is a sensory-based tour. It explores the wide-ranging flavours found in Johnnie Walker whiskies. The immersive tour lasts for 90-minutes and is led by an expert guide.
Before the tour begins, enter your flavour preferences using a touchscreen tablet. Next, pick the corresponding flavour wristband. This coloured band signifies whether your preference is fresh, fruity, smoky, creamy, spicy, or tropical. An algorithm is used to determine your flavour profile and in turn, the type of drinks that best matches your tastes. Non-alcoholic drinks are also available.
The Grocer’s Sensorium is a room surrounded by drink stations and boxes of colourful garnishes. First, you take a highball glass that matches the same colour as your wristband. Next, scoop up a few ice cubes into your glass and place them under the highball station which is effectively a whisky-based cocktail drinks machine on tap!
Then the magic happens – the machine lights up and dispenses your drink; the drink corresponds to your flavour profile and contains one of the ranges of Johnnie Walker whiskies. Like every good cocktail, you finish preparing your drink by adding a garnish. My drink contained Johnnie Walker Green Label, soda, and rose petals. I slurped the refreshing drink through a recyclable straw.
Meeting the founder
Next, we meet the founder John Walker played by an actor, who gives a theatrical performance on a carousel stage with multi-dimensional special effects. The effects include cinematic sounds and strobe lighting which may not be suitable for some. We begin in the humble grocery store in Kilmarnock, where Walker went on to sell his spirits. It was the quality of Walker’s blended whiskies that got everyone talking. Walker passed on his blending knowledge to his son, and this knowledge sharing continued through the generations that followed.
The multi-sensory room
The multi-sensory rooms are a kaleidoscope of colour. You can touch, smell, and taste every aspect of the whisky production process. There are interactive tables with objects relating to smell that light up like a Christmas tree. You will learn about the Four Corner distilleries: Cardhu, Glenkinchie, Caol Ila, and Clynelish. These single malt whiskies together give the whiskies their distinguished quality and taste. You also get to enjoy a highball or Old Fashioned cocktail made by a mixologist. You can choose the drinks based on your flavour profile or go for a completely different profile.
What better way to end your tour than at the customary souvenir shop. If you’re looking for that ideal gift or would like to buy a bottle of whisky for yourself, there’s a shopping emporium on the ground floor. You can even customise your bottle with a bespoke label, or a personal message engraved directly onto the bottle.
Keep Walking and the Striding Man
Johnnie Walker’s advertising slogan ‘Keep Walking’ has run for over 20 years. The campaign has recently re-focused its message to one of optimism and invites you to spoil someone who inspires you to ‘Keep Walking.’ Be it your father, friend, partner, or mentor, reward the person who has helped guide your steps with a journey of flavour that explores the world of whisky with a truly unique experience.
From advertising slogans to posters, these provide a visual history of the iconic Striding Man logo. Early illustrations of the flamboyant gentleman date back to the turn of the 19th Century; dressed for the outdoors, and wearing a top hat, quizzer, breeches, boots, a long-tailed coat, and a walking stick. My personal favourites include the Striding Man skating and curling; both designed by the cartoonist, Tom Browne in 1910.
Both the Keep Walking and Striding Man themes are ubiquitous throughout the experience. There’s a larger-than-life gold sculpture of the Striding Man in the foyer; a great photo opportunity.
In a nutshell
Available on 19th June 2022, the Father’s Day Whisky and Cheese Tasting Experience (£40pp) will showcase some of the most exclusive whiskies from Johnnie Walker, including a dram of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the pinnacle of blending and widely renowned as one of the finest whiskies in the world.
To discover more, visit johnniewalker.com
All imagery courtesy of Diageo.
Five fun things to do in Edinburgh
- The Blue Label Room Restaurant – Private Dining Room
For a food and drink pairing experience like no other, head to the Blue Label Room. Fine dining with spectacular views, the private dining room will take your breath away. It’s the perfect intimate setting to enjoy a Michelin star five-course tasting menu. The menu is co-created by Head Bartender, Miran Chauhan. The innovative dishes are prepared from local ingredients and paired with hand-selected whisky-based cocktails. Book here
- 1820 Rooftop Bar
What better way to relax after your tour than enjoying a drink at the 1820 bar? The view of the city’s skyline and the historic Old Town are awe-inspiring and will have you snapping away. For another photo opportunity – a blue and white saltire emblazoned Striding Man is on the terrace.
If you’re not so fortunate with the weather, fear not as the bar inside radiates warmth and style. And as you would expect, the bar specialises in endless whisky-inspired creations. Book here
Image courtesy of Kimpton Charlotte Square
- Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel
For that chic boutique experience, Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel ticks all the boxes with a stunning classical Georgian exterior, central courtyard, and charming rooms. Look out for a bright red classic Bakelite telephone in the room; a homage to Alexander Graham Bell whose birthplace is nearby. If you’re after a terrace with comfortable outdoor seating, request room 464. The hotel also has a delightful spa and pool with early opening times. Book here
Image courtesy of Dhorlin
- Wojtek the Soldier Bear Memorial
If should you come across a large bear whilst taking a walk in Princes Street Gardens, fear not. This bronze memorial relates to Wojtek the soldier bear, who was once adopted by a group of Polish soldiers during WWII. The orphaned cub grew up to provide an important morale boost to the company. It also helped carry supplies and ammunition. Wojtek’s company moved to Scotland after the war had ended. Wojtek was transferred to Edinburgh Zoo where he remained until his death. Read more here
Image courtesy of Alex Bowden
- See Edinburgh on a bike
There’s no better way to explore the city of Edinburgh than on two-wheels. There are so many attractions within easy cycling distance, including Edinburgh Castle, Scottish National Gallery, and the Royal Mile. If you are staying at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, a pair of bikes are available for free hire on a first-come, first-served basis.