Last night saw Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the leading luxury Blended Scotch Whisky, present Symphony In Blue – the world’s first theatrical, experiential, musical and artistic journey for guests to enjoy. This truly immersive experience was crafted by a star-studded team including Hamish Hamilton and Russell Thomas from Done+Dusted as well as culinary geniuses, Sam Bompas and Harry Parr from Bompas & Parr.
Symphony In Blue celebrated the heritage and craftsmanship behind Johnnie Walker Blue Label, as well as the journey that Johnnie Walker started nearly 200 years ago. This educational performance was staged at the magnificent Merchant Taylors’ Hall, home to over 1,000 years of history and located in the heart of London’s square mile.
Hosted by Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge, this one-of-a-kind event saw a special appearance by Jude Law, in addition to a host of VIPs and London influencers including Tamsin Egerton, Luke Treadaway, Donna Air, Morwenna Lytton Cobbold, Natalie Coyle and Alistair Guy.
Guests were welcomed on a 7-room odyssey of the senses inspired by the physical, architectural, social and gastronomic dimensions of Whisky. Among the experiences, guests entered the world’s first Whisky Weather system, a luxurious breathable cloud of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL and after passing through the Ice Palace where an illuminated block of 10,000 year old ice awaited they witnessed the hand-charring of barrels with the use of Whisky flamethrowers.
Culinary geniuses Bompas & Parr created an exquisite banquet of mouth-watering dishes, each one uniquely crafted to celebrate and highlight the complex flavours found within Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Upon finishing the gourmet masterpiece served to guests seated at elaborately dressed long banquet tables, the duo revealed the hotly anticipated multi-sensory project they have been working on for over a year – the world’s first working Flavour Conductor; a one-of-a-kind musical instrument that brings an inimitable theatrical dimension to whisky tasting. The magnificent church organ built according to centuries of tradition combines a contemporary sound and light spectacular with the rich heritage of whisky blending, whilst each note of the instrument emphasizes the individual flavors that can be discovered in the Blue Label blend.
Following the feast, a unique, performance took place with dancers, musicians and actors, each embodying a chapter of the Johnnie Walker story and celebrating the flavor, history and heritage. The final scene took to the walls as breath-taking projections transported the guests into the center of the glass of a glass of whisky.
Jude Law, star or Johnnie Walker Blue Label’s short film ‘A Gentleman’s Wager’ closed the occasion by thanking guests and raising a glass to all with encouragement to ‘keep on walking’.
The guests were treated to Johnnie Walker Blue Label ‘Sun-Dried Rob Roy’ cocktails, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve ‘East meets North’ punch, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve ‘Flower’ cocktails and Johnnie Walker Blue Label perfect serve. The exquisite menu consisted of Stuffed Quails’ Eggs with Sumac, Chipotle and 24 Carat Gold, Foie Gras, Toasted Brioche, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Jelly, Poached Scottish Salmon and Lobster Roulade, sour cream and caviar sauce, Artichoke and Wild Mushroom Gratin, Stichelton, truffles and cream, Johnnie Walker Glazed, Slow Cooked Jacob’s Ladder, served on barley risotto, with a red wine reduction, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Marbled Jelly, spiced citrus jelly, candied orange peel, edible flowers and a treacle Tart served with Johnnie Waller Gold Label Reserve cream Chantilly.
Symphony in Blue, presented by Johnnie Walker Blue Label, is the world’s first theatrical, experiential, musical and artistic journey that sets out to celebrate the art and history of whisky. This immersive experience has been crafted by a star-studded team including Hamish Hamilton and Russell Thomas from Done+Dusted as well as culinary geniuses, Sam Bompas and Harry Parr from Bompas&Parr. The Symphony In Blue performance – inspired by the physical, social and gastronomic dimensions of Whisky – features extraordinary JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL-inspired installations, a theatrical meal and climatic spectacular finale. Confronted by a play of light, art, sound, extreme temperatures, gastronomy and performance, guests’ imagination and perception of flavour will be challenged and provoked through a host of experiences including; entering the world’s first Whisky Weather system, a luxurious breathable cloud of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL and a rare opportunity to meet with Master Blender Jim Beveridge and craft a personalised Signature Blend drawn from the largest reserves of whisky in the world.
James Thompson, Global Managing Director of Diageo Reserve says: “JOHNNIE WALKER has continued to be the world’s best-selling Scotch Whisky and one of the most loved spirits brands in the world. At the heart of our brand is a deep commitment to innovation and a pioneering spirit, made tangible through our signature ‘Big, Bold Flavours’ drawn from the four corners of Scotland. With SYMPHONY IN BLUE, we elevate the understanding of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, our search for flavour and how we perfected the art of blending.”
JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ is one of the pinnacle offerings from JOHNNIE WALKER.
Only sublime, rare whiskies at the pinnacle of perfection are used in the blending of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, with only 1 in 10,000 casks containing whisky of sufficient character to deliver its remarkably smooth signature taste. Each is hand selected by the JOHNNIE WALKER Master Blender himself, part of an unbroken lineage of Master Blenders stretching back over 190 years – it is an ultimate expression of whisky making today and an remarkable achievement for the modern era.
Presented in individually numbered bottles, it is reminiscent of the 19th century style of whiskies. The Master Blender uses his decades of experience to select some of the rarest casks from the JOHNNIE WALKER reserves for their quality, character and flavour to create the powerful, complex, smooth character of BLUE LABEL.
BLUE LABEL has a mellow, rounded nose, with a dry smokiness (a JOHNNIE WALKER signature flavour) mixing with raisin sweetness. It is best savoured with the palate cleansed and cooled by iced water. One sip reveals a velvety mouth-feel, then an explosion of flavour. At once you’ll discover hazelnuts, honey, rose petals, sherry and oranges. Subsequent sips reward you with more hidden secrets like kumquats, wispy aromatic smoke, sandalwood, tobacco, and dark chocolate.
DIAGEO is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
The JOHNNIE WALKER and BLUE LABEL words, the Striding Figure device and associated logos are trade marks © John Walker & Sons 2014.