Four years after discontinuing global production, Diageo has listened to supplier and consumer feedback and is reintroducing its malt-based Johnnie Walker Green label.
Produced from a blend of malt whiskies matured for a minimum of 15 years, and no grain-based whiskey, Johnnie Walker Green was scaled back to very limited quantities in 2012.
Following a rapid response to some limited release supplies to Australia and the USA this year, to mark the SKU’s tenth anniversary, Diageo will return Green to its global range.
A spokesperson told PubTIC the ‘back by popular demand’ pronouncement was determined by retailers and consumer requests via Johnnie Walker’s Facebook page.
“We have listened to our consumers and we are responding to popular demand to reintroduce it,” says Johnnie Walker global brand director Guy Escolme.
Johnnie Green label is made from a carefully selected palette of Speyside, Highland, Lowland and Island malts, balancing four key signature styles: Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore and Caol Ila.
The result is said to bring the character of a single malt whisky, but with a depth of character greater than is possible from a single malt whisky.
“The challenge of Johnnie Walker Green Label is to have a wide flavour spectrum from malts matured for at least 15 years in American and European Oak, ensuring that those flavours really complement each other and work in harmony to create a blend of great complexity which, at its heart, is true to the Johnnie Walker style of big and bold flavours with a signature smokiness,” says Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker Master Blender.
Johnnie Walker still holds the title of the number one Scotch whisky brand globally, and has won many international awards including Double Gold and Best Blended Scotch at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2006 and 2007.
Green Label will be available again 1 April, at a price point of RRP $74.99.
