Johnnie Walker collaborates with Harris Tweed on limited edition release to delight lovers of whisky and style
Marking the first “Johnnie Walker Princes Street Collective” - a series that brings together the world’s leading Scotch whisky with Scotland’s best creative forces to create unique and collectable whiskies – the Johnnie Walker x Harris Tweed collaboration features a beautifully designed bottle of the Johnnie Walker Limited Edition Princes Street Blend, accompanied by a bespoke Harris Tweed carry bag.
The whisky represents a world first, having been matured over the past year in hand-selected American oak casks in the Whisky Makers Cellar at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. The cellar, holding just 26 casks, is unique among bonded warehouses in Scotland, tucked beneath one of Edinburgh’s most famous streets.
Launching the new whisky, Barbara Smith, managing director of Scotland Brand Homes at Diageo, said: “Our collaboration with Harris Tweed has been an exciting way to celebrate the first experimental bottling, finished here in our cellar at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. The partnership brings together two iconic Scottish brands, and the resulting collection embodies our shared heritage and passion for blending – whether that’s liquid, or thread. We’re sure it’ll provide festive gift inspiration for whisky and style lovers alike.”
George Harper, Johnnie Walker Whisky Specialist, who created the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Collective bottling, added: “This particular blend was experimental in many ways, and it was exciting to use a completely different type of ‘warehouse’ for the final year of maturation. The unique finishing process has further enhanced the flavours of the liquid and we are really pleased with the end result, and I am sure consumers will love it too.”
Mark Hogarth, creative director at Harris Tweed Hebrides, said: “We have been hugely excited about this project with Johnnie Walker and feel a lot of synergy between our two brands. While Johnnie Walker carefully blends liquids to create flavour, so do we at Harris Tweed, expertly weaving different shades of wool to produce colour and pattern. This particular plaid brings Edinburgh and Harris together, all wrapped up in luxury, craftsmanship and time; elements that are also reflected in the exquisite liquid that George and his team have created.”
The unusual maturation conditions of the cellar, which is warmer than traditional warehouses, enhanced the impact of the wood, pulling in all the oaky flavours, leading to a rich and creamy oak nose, a palate of honeysuckle and red berry flavours and a long and fruity finish with warming wood smoke.
In designing the bespoke plaid for the collaboration, the Harris Tweed Hebrides team drew inspiration from their home in the Outer Hebrides, and the home of Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh, to create a vibrant blend of the two Scottish locations.
The bag has been created in partnership with BeYonder, a charity specialising in ethical manufacturing. As part of the project, BeYonder engaged textile students from Glasgow City College to help manufacture the bags.
Those who’d like a chance to try the whisky before they buy should book themselves on Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s Whisky Makers Cellar experience or 1820 bar for a chance to enjoy it in a highball, cocktail, or dram.
The Johnnie Walker x Harris Tweed Hebrides collection will be available to purchase now exclusively at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh priced at £169.
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