It is official. As a way to pioneer the next chapter in luxury spirits, Johnnie Walker has announced the global launch of the Johnnie Walker Vault—its most ambitious expression of blending artistry to date. It brings together bespoke blends, luxurious experiences, and collaborations with culture icons under one visionary banner.
At the heart of this platform is Dr. Emma Walker, the Master Blender, who artfully weaves personal stories into whisky blending. Her expertise is rooted in centuries-old craftsmanship, continuously nurtured in a creative atelier, hidden beneath Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The physical vault at Johnnie Walker’s brand home at Princes Street houses a curated selection of 500 whiskies from the distillery’s rare, aged and ghost casks. Personally selected and rotated by Dr. Emma Walker, this collection represents the finest from the 10 million casks available to her. The incredible archive of casks hails from over 30 distilleries, including aged stocks of over 50 years, ‘ghost’ whiskies from Port Ellen and Brora, and exclusive luxury distilleries.
An exclusive and bespoke experience for a select few
The Johnnie Walker Vault will remain an invite-only space, bringing creativity and craftsmanship to life with rare products, experiences and collaborations. A new private blend experience will see Dr. Walker turn vault-worthy expressions into unique blends, tailored to inspiration and individual palates.
Offered to the public as part of a package starting at £50,000, the experience will include a range of luxurious experiences: private VIP travel in Edinburgh, a glamorous stay at the glorious Gleneagles Hotel, a private tour of the by-invite-only Diageo archives, Michelin-starred dining, and of course a private blending experience with Dr. Walker. Each guest’s personal blend will be presented in a Baccarat crystal decanter, and will also be chronicled in the Johnnie Walker Vault archive, alongside iconic whisky creations.
“Johnnie Walker Vault is our treasure trove. It’s where I can curate and share our rarest and most exceptional Scotch whiskies, and from these create unique blends which sing to my guests and showcase the blending artistry at the heart of Johnnie Walker,” says Dr. Walker. “It’s a platform through which I can take deeply personal stories and translate them into beautiful, one-of-a-kind blends.”
Later this year, something truly extraordinary is coming to the Johnnie Walker Vault. In an inspired collaboration, the Vault will welcome its inaugural creative partner—a visionary artist from the world of couture fashion—to join forces with Dr. Walker. Together, they will craft an exclusive, limited-edition collection that redefines the art of whisky. Stay tuned for this unparalleled fusion of innovation and craftsmanship.
Johnnie Walker Vault’s Asia debut held in Singapore
The global luxury platform, inspired by the physical vault in Edinburgh, made a distinguished debut in Asia through a series of exclusive Blending Artistry Ateliers at Diageo’s Private Client Suite in Singapore. Helmed by Dr. Walker and Ewan Gunn, Master of the Quaich and Global Brand Ambassador, the experience offered select guests an intimate immersion into the craft of whisky blending.
Working with rare, exquisitely aged single malts, guests had the privilege of creating their own bespoke blends under the guidance of two of the industry’s finest. Each session culminated in a curated tasting of Johnnie Walker’s most exceptional expressions, including the iconic Blue Label—crafted from rare and ghost whiskies, with only one in 10,000 casks making the cut—and the ultra-rare limited-edition Aged 52 Years, blended from the brand’s oldest and most precious casks, marking the first such release under Dr. Walker’s masterful stewardship.
A highlight of the evening was an exclusive tasting of a bespoke blend crafted by Dr. Walker for Singaporean fashion icon and entrepreneur Yoyo Cao. Inspired by her personal palate and influences—including her love for fresh, fruit-forward profiles and Japanese culture—Dr. Walker has crafted an exquisite, well-balanced whisky. The blend featured an extraordinary selection of aged whiskies, including Brora 1980 and Port Ellen 1979.
“The Johnnie Walker Vault reflects our commitment to the evolving desires of the luxury consumer, and to transform luxury spirits through elevated personalisation, unique experiences and exceptional products,” says Julie Bramham, managing director of Diageo Luxury Group, in a statement.
“Building on more than 200 years of pioneering craftsmanship, Johnnie Walker has redefined quality whisky blending for the modern connoisseur. Iconic blends such as Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Johnnie Walker Black Label have consistently showcased the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of Scotch whisky, and [the] Johnnie Walker Vault will now continue this legacy.”
Please Drink Responsibly.
To learn more about Johnnie Walker Vault, please visit www.johnniewalker.com/en/vault.
Previously published on Robb Report Singapore
Photos provided by Johnnie Walker
