The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is a lightweight—not in terms of alcohol content, but in packaging. The world’s number one Scotch whisky brand continues to lead the whisky world with bold innovations: earlier this year, it launched the Johnnie Walker Vault, which gives connoisseurs the opportunity to create bespoke blends with master blender, Dr Emma Walker, from a selection of 500 rare whiskies. Now, it’s making a statement with the world’s lightest 70cl Scotch whisky bottle at just 180g without the closure. First unveiled at the London Design Festival last year, the new bottle is the lightest ever produced by the iconic Scottish brand, and now it finally makes its Malaysian debut.
After five years of research and development, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra makes a bold departure from its traditional square silhouette and simultaneously achieves a lower environmental impact. Appearing in a handblown teardrop shape that is simultaneously light and strong, the bottle now has a new precise lattice stopper, crafted from hollowed-out aluminium, which crowns the bottle and enhances its opulence. These are housed within a cradle made from sustainably sourced bamboo, which makes the bottle appear as if it’s floating and allows for easy removal and reinsertion.
Naturally, its exquisite bottle reflects the superb whisky within, which continues Johnnie Walker’s legacy of iconic blends. Skilfully crafted by Dr Walker, the whisky features rare ghost whiskies from shuttered distilleries, including Port Ellen, Port Dundas, and Caledonian. The complexities of Johnnie Walker’s blending techniques are showcased in the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra’s exceptionally smooth profile—layered with fresh oak, warm baked fruits, and delicate spice—all delivered at an elevated 55 per cent ABV.
Jennifer English, Global Brand Director of Johnnie Walker, spoke about the Blue Label Ultra and why sustainability is important to Diageo, its parent company, in an exclusive interview with Robb Report Malaysia. “Our five-year research and development journey was honestly an adventure. We collaborated closely with an expert glassmaker to completely reimagine how a whisky bottle could be designed. Through our test-and-learn approach, we discovered that lighter packaging doesn’t have to compromise beauty or craftsmanship—it can actually enhance it. Johnnie Walker has always embraced progress, and we’re now helping to pioneer a new direction for luxury, one that aligns with what today’s consumers increasingly value.”
As English explains, “Traditionally, our iconic square Johnnie Walker bottles are produced through a highly precise industrial glass manufacturing process. The distinctive square shape requires specialised moulds and carefully controlled cooling to maintain its sharp edges and flat sides.”
This innovation is not just a one-off for the brand. “The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra completely reimagines this traditional approach,” English says. “Our focus was not just on creating something beautiful, but also on demonstrating how lightweighting could benefit the industry, while shifting consumer perception of what luxury means today. These insights are already informing other lightweighting projects across our portfolio, potentially transforming how we approach bottle production in the future.”
Beyond Diageo’s portfolio, Johnnie Walker’s boundary-breaking creation is also set to revolutionise the industry and promote sustainability. Johnnie Walker is also offering a royalty-free licence of their granted UK patent to the world as a lighter, lower-carbon packaging alternative. “We aim to encourage further innovation across the industry,” English says.
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is a limited release with only 888 bottles available globally, and just 60 available in Malaysia. It can be purchased exclusively through private orders.
In Continued Conversation With Jennifer English
What are some of the biggest challenges that Johnnie Walker faced in staying committed to sustainable production while developing the Blue Label Ultra—and how did you overcome them?
Developing Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra presented a range of interesting challenges. The lightweighting process required us to embrace a teardrop shape that was carefully moulded, to add a protective bamboo cage for the round base, and to commit to hand-making and filling each bottle to prevent damage.
By focusing on reducing inefficiencies throughout the process, optimising our supply chain, and thoughtfully incorporating more sustainable practices where possible, we’re working toward redefining what modern luxury can be. Innovation remains central to our strategy as we maintain our pioneering spirit while driving meaningful progress toward a better future for Scotch.
Plesae tell us more about the Bamboo Cradle that holds the glass bottle and its sustainable qualities.
When designing Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra, we were determined to ensure all aspects of the design were lightweight with sustainability solutions in mind, including when we were considering options for the bottle support.
Bamboo was our material of choice for the stand due to its incredible strength-to-weight ratio. It’s a brilliant complement to our ultralight glass bottle. The cradle actually serves a crucial functional purpose too. Due to the rounded base—a necessary result of blowing the glass in a teardrop shape—we added the stand to ensure the bottle stands completely securely. This marriage of form and function represents the thoughtful design approach we took at every stage of development.
At Johnnie Walker, we believe innovation should consider every element of the product experience, and the bamboo cradle is a perfect example of how we’re bringing that philosophy to life.
Whisky is an iconic spirit with a rich legacy, yet Johnnie Walker continues to resonate with modern audiences. What’s the secret to staying relevant while maintaining authenticity?
I think the real secret is staying true to our founder’s spirit of innovation while remaining deeply connected to our heritage and consumers. Today, we honour that legacy by continuing to push boundaries while never compromising on quality.
As a brand, we’re not afraid to try new things, even if it means we might sometimes not get it right the first time. For our most recent launch, we’ve adopted a test-and-learn model, designing and exploring without limitation to see what we could achieve in the name of progress.
Our approach to innovation is about experimenting boldly, looking ahead, and continuing to make strides towards a more sustainable future. Even if an idea doesn’t become permanent, the insights we learn are invaluable for future innovations.
