Johnnie Walker Unveils New Blue Label Variant Capturing the Elusive Taste of Umami, as part of an unprecedented collaboration with the famous chef, Kei Kobayashi.
Johnnie Walker, first brand in the world of scotch *, today unveils Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami. A pioneering expression, which is inspired by the flavor also called the fifth taste, l'umami. Master Assembler, Emma Walker has teamed up with world-renowned chef Kei Kobayashi, to channel their years of expertise into the creation of this limited edition, in an exercise aimed at decoding one of the most enigmatic flavors in the world. These two flavor masters managed to combine the unique taste of Johnnie Walker Blue Label with the essence of umami. « Pour Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami, only one barrel in 25,000, on more than 10 million barrels currently maturing, passed the test, when we painstakingly sifted through our stashes in search of that elusive flavor profile. Each whiskey expression has been selected to create an umami profile, just like the ingredients of a recipe, allowing us to bring the unique character of this innovative whiskey to life.”, explains Emma Walker.
A mysterious quality that awakens the senses
Chef Kei Kobayashi's restaurant, Kei restaurant, located in Paris, is awarded three stars in the 2023 version of the Michelin Guide. “I remember, I woke up at five a.m. every morning and walked in the beautiful mountains of Nagano, where the air was pure and the smell of the trees wafted, persistent, in the air. Umami has a mysterious quality that ignites our senses and reveals a sumptuous taste, complexity and depth. I truly believe we have captured this essence in Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami. The final liquid is a multifaceted expression of what I interpret as umami. »
The experience of a gastronomic exploration
“When we decided to create Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami, it was not just an experiment aimed at creating a blend, but a gastronomic exploration. The key to creating this exceptional scotch was familiarizing ourselves with the intensity of the umami flavor…preferably served with caviar to unlock the full depth of this unique sensory experience.”, Emma Walker reveals, master blender of Johnnie Walker. The result is a scotch perfectly balanced between sweet and savory flavors, with notes of blood orange and red fruits with sweet woody fragrances, a touch of smoked meat, a touch of salt and pepper with a long, sweet finish with fruity notes.
The new limited edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami is available in the wine merchant network from December 2023. Distributed by Leal Distribution Réunion.
