From Scotland To The World: Johnnie Walker Celebrates The 80th Year In Hong Kong
(Hong Kong, October, 2018) Johnnie Walker, the world’s No. 1 Scotch Whisky, has launched three signature Chinese tea-inspired cocktails in celebration of the brand’s 80th anniversary in Hong Kong. The collection, served in custom designed porcelain vessels which depict Johnnie Walker’s journey from the four corners of Scotland, to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, is available now exclusively at the recently revamped Moongate bar in Hutong restaurant.
While Chinese tea and Scottish whisky may seem like an unusual pairing, in the case of Johnnie Walker, it is only natural. John Walker, the man behind the brand, began his career as a grocer in 1820. His small shop in Kilmarnock, Scotland sold various types of tea and herbs – including Chinese tea from the Anhui province. With single teas considered too strong for drinkers of the age and blended teas commanding a higher price, Walker attempted to diversify his products by crafting blended teas himself – giving him an edge over the other grocers in his town. By first mastering the art of tea blending, it was not long before he was able to develop the skills for successful whisky blending. The organic transition of this skill from tea to whisky was essential to the success of his product in those early days, and on the success and balance of each bottle of Johnnie Walker that we have come to know and enjoy today.
It is with this fascinating heritage in mind that the renowned whisky brand pays tribute to the roots of Chinese tea in Hong Kong. At Hutong, three exclusive Johnnie Walker signature cocktails will be available, each with their own unique Chinese herbal twist. The first is The Highball Emperor – containing Johnnie Walker Black Label, Yuzu juice, homemade osmanthus syrup and soda water. The second, called Emperor’s Tea, is a mixture of Johnnie Walker Double Black, lemon juice and homemade jujube syrup. The final cocktail is the Ninjiom Blossom, a delicious blend of Johnnie Walker aged 18 years, Ninjiom, egg white, pear and lemon juice.
To elevate the enjoyment of these expertly crafted cocktails, Johnnie Walker has produced its take on the traditional Chinese tea set and cup in which to serve these cocktails. Designed in the coveted willow pattern, typical to Chinese porcelain homeware, the brand has incorporated unique motifs from its Scottish heritage and weaved them through the delicate white and blue patterns of each cup.
With both tea and whisky blending embedded in deep cultural histories, both share many common principles. Each requires a sound relationship with its producers, an extensive knowledge of the raw product, a readiness to exclude substandard product and the challenge of producing a consistent taste in the final product – especially when the raw materials can vary widely from day to day.
Johnnie Walker prides itself on its unique blends and flavour profiles. These distinct flavours include Islay Smoke (similar to single malts such as Lagavulin and Caol Ila), Fresh Fruits (Glenkinchie and Dalwhinnie), Rich Fruits (Benrinnes and Mortlach), and Creamy Vanilla (grain whiskies). Each of these characteristics are detectable in Johnnie Walker Black Label. Only talent and experience ensure that each of these influences and flavour profiles are correctly expressed and balanced in the final product while ensuring that each bottle is consistent with the last.
Three exclusive Johnnie Walker signature cocktails are now available at the Moongate bar in Hutong:
Hutong
1 Peking Road Shopping Arcade
28/F, 1 Peking Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Please Drink Responsibly.