Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami is a recently released limited edition whisky — crafted by Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Emma Walker and renowned Japanese Chef, Kei Kobayashi. The two joined forces to create a Scotch whisky that encapsulates the enigmatic taste of umami. A Japanese word used to identify the ‘fifth taste’, umami is an enigmatic flavour that possesses mysterious qualities.
Combined Efforts
In an exercise to decode one of the world’s most enigmatic flavours, these two masters of flavour channelled their years of experience into combining the unrivalled taste of Johnnie Walker Blue Label with the essence of umami. Chef Kei Kobayashi, known for his flavour pairings and culinary combinations, has also expertly created a series of dishes that perfectly complement both the sweet and savoury notes of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami.
For Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami, only one in 25,000 casks of more than 10 million maturing casks made the cut when they painstakingly searched reserves for that elusive flavour profile – each expression of Scotch whisky was hand-picked to create an umami profile, just like ingredients for a recipe.
On a Flavour Mission
The whisky is a beautifully balanced Blended Scotch whisky of sweet and savoury flavours, with notes of blood oranges and red berries with sweet wood spice, a touch of smoked meat, a hint of salt and pepper with a long, sweet fruit finish.
Chef Kei Kobayashi
Chef Kei Kobayashi was born in Japan and grew up in the Nagano region surrounded by food. His father was the chef at a kaiseki restaurant that served traditional cuisine, but Kobayashi’s interest in food took on a different direction when he moved to France to train in prestigious restaurants.
In 2011, Kobayashi opened his first restaurant in Paris, and one year later was awarded his first Michelin star. The restaurant received a second star in 2017, and a third in 2020. The Kei restaurant in Paris, later maintained its three Michelin stars in the 2023 release of the Michelin Guide. He is the first Japanese chef to be awarded three Michelin stars in France.
The Perfect Pair
The new limited release will be showcased at a series of events, starting with a global launch in Paris where the liquid will be paired with the series of dishes created by Chef Kei Kobayashi.
The whisky is served best neat with Oscietra Caviar — selected for its unmistakable concentration of umami and mineral character. The Elusive Umami in partnership with the cleanliness of the caviar compliment and elevate each other. The whisky contains rich caramelized miso notes, along with tropical top notes of grilled pineapple, rich cacao, and blackberry tannin. The cacao and tannin pair with the savoury nature of the caviar.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami was available exclusively at Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh, before pre-sales launched globally on October 2, 2023, and is now available to buy globally.
To discover more, visit: johnniewalker.com
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All imagery courtesy of Johnnie Walker.