CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL

LONDON, Jan. 21, 2022 /CNW/ -- TODAY, Johnnie Walker, the world's number one Scotch whisky¹, launches an exclusive Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year limited edition. The stunning 2022 limited edition design created by Chinese artist Shan Jiang celebrates the year of the Tiger.

The intricate illustrations by Shan Jiang are dedicated to the one who never walks alone… to the one whose steps inspire yours. With imagery paying homage to the Tiger as a symbol of strength and progress, and the majestic animal depicted with golden wings, recalling the famous Chinese idiom.

The visuals are completed with the Tiger high amongst the mountain clouds, ascending towards the modern metropolis – a sign of prosperity and progress, signifying good fortune for all in the year to come.

Artist Shan Jiang said: "In the last two years we've triumphed over tremendous challenges. I used that thought to look to the year ahead with positivity and use Chinese mythology and the idea of progress, of always moving forward, to inspire my designs and discover ideas from my culture that resonate with Johnnie Walker.

"That is why I chose the Tiger with wings for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, it's a common Chinese saying. My mother and father immediately came to mind, they have always supported me as an artist no matter how things were going, they gave me great strength to achieve - like the winged Tiger ascending above the mountains to the sky. It gives me energy to think of this and to create something beautiful from this idea."

Shan Jiang's intricate illustration is matched by the rare whiskies and centuries of craft that creates the rich fruity flavours; perfectly balanced smoke found in every bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

He said: "I like to think that the thought and time that goes into my designs echo the craft of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Inside every bottle of Blue Label are rare, handpicked whiskies - each bringing distinctive character. I hope to bring that to my work."

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a velvety smooth and vibrant Scotch whisky with layers of fruit, spice and long, lingering smokiness. Only 1 in 10,000 casks in our unparalleled reserves of over 10 million maturing Scotch whiskies has the richness and character required to intricately craft Johnnie Walker Blue Label, including some irreplaceable casks from long-closed "ghost" distilleries.

This limited edition design is available in selected markets globally. Johnnie Walker is also launching John Walker & Sons King George V Lunar New Year Limited Edition Design and a John Walker & Sons XR 21 Lunar New Year Limited Edition Design – both beautifully illustrated by Shan Jiang.

About Johnnie Walker:
Johnnie Walker is the world's number one Scotch Whisky brand (IWSR 2019), enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since founder John Walker started in business 200 years ago, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above else.

Today's range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years and Blue Label. Together they account for over 14 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2020), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the world.

About Diageo:
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff and Cîroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[1] IWSR 2020

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1730695/Johnnie_Walker_Lunar_New_Year.jpg

SOURCE Johnnie Walker

For further information, please contact: Smarts Agency - [email protected] | Alban P Maginness, (Smarts), [phone]