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Different flavours of Johnnie Walker

Tim Philips, the Global Brand Ambassador for Johnnie Walker and one of the world’s most awarded bartenders shares insights on the rise of cocktail culture, the growing openness of consumers to experiment with new flavors and serves, and how these trends are shaping the industry’s future. His insights will highlight the dynamic ways whisky is being reimagined in contemporary mixology, driving new trends and experiences.

What are the changes you see in India as a whisky producing nation?

India is truly emerging as a true whisky-producing powerhouse. The pace of innovation in local distillation, the experimentation with cask finishes and the development of distinct regional flavours is remarkable. Indian producers are increasingly combining traditional craftsmanship with bold, creative approaches, which is earning recognition not just locally but globally. It shows that India is not just a consumer of whisky, it’s a creator with its own voice in the whisky world.

Scotch Whiskies have never been popular as the base for cocktails. Do you see that changing as the market evolves?

Absolutely. Scotch has traditionally been enjoyed neat or on the rocks, especially here in India, but that’s changing. There’s a younger audience that wants to explore Scotch in a more versatile way. As bartenders experiment with flavour-forward cocktails using Scotch, we can see a new whisky culture taking shape, where Johnnie Walker shines in both classic serves and innovative drinks. It’s an exciting time for whisky lovers.

What are the botanicals you plan to use to find favour with the Indian palate?

Johnnie Walker whiskies are naturally complemented by the rich tapestry of spices and flavours found in India. Citrus, ginger, cardamom, clove, and cinnamon are obvious places to start.

My goal is to help create cocktails that feel authentic to India while still celebrating the integrity of Scotch. India has so much regional diversity and seasonality to celebrate. When you buy locally, spices, fruits, and herbs all sing much louder in drinks.

How would you describe the young Indian consumer’s taste for alcobev drinks?

Young Indian consumers are adventurous, curious and open to new experiences. They enjoy global flavours and craft spirits, while still valuing the richness of local traditions. For them, it is not just about the liquid, it’s about the story, the journey, and the connection behind every sip. This mix of curiosity and sophistication makes India an incredibly exciting market for whisky innovation and premium experiences.

What is the Johnnie Walker formula for whisky cocktails in India?

It’s always a liquid first approach for us. Whisky is the star, and every ingredient is selected to enhance, not overpower its character. In India, it is about crafting drinks where the depth, smoke and subtle sweetness of Johnnie Walker are at the center, complemented by spices, citrus, or fruit that feels authentic to the local palate.

It’s about creating cocktails that are approachable and innovative, while staying true to the craftsmanship and heritage of Johnnie Walker. At the end of the day, the best outcomes will come from working with the intrinsic features of Johnnie Walker. Flavour profiles such as malty, spicy, fruity, fresh, floral, and smoky are, for instance, very significant to dive ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌into.

How flavour preferences and bar culture are influenced by global trends?

Global trends have expanded what Indian consumers expect from their bar experiences. Techniques like smoke-infused cocktails, barrel-aging, and molecular mixology are no longer niche, they are all the ways in which bartenders in India are being inspired to experiment and elevate their craft.

What’s particularly exciting is how Indian bartenders are taking these global techniques and transforming them through a local lens. By incorporating flavours like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, tamarind and citrus, they are creating cocktails that are inventive yet rooted in Indian tradition. The fusion of global expertise with local creativity is shaping India’s bar culture, making it dynamic.

What kind of your experience would you like to bring to the bar table?

I bring over 20 years of hospitality experience, a thorough knowledge of Scotch and a passion for sharing the story behind every Johnnie Walker blend. My focus is on inspiring both bartenders and consumers to explore flavours, craft cocktails and elevate their whisky experiences. I urge all consumers to explore with confidence the variety in Scotch cocktail and find the right serve for your palate.

Diageo Begins Trial of the First Paper-Based Bottle for Johnnie Walker

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first-of-its-kind 90% paper-based bottle for Johnnie Walker Black Label
Running exclusively at Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s 1820 bar, in Edinburgh

The makers of Guinness, Don Julio Tequila and Smirnoff Vodka has launched on a trial basis the first-of-its-kind 90% paper-based bottle for Johnnie Walker Black Label exclusively at Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s 1820 bar, in Edinburgh.

Created in partnership with PA Consulting, as part of the Bottle Collective with PA and PulPac, this is Diageo’s first paper-based 70cl bottle trial in the on-trade. The trial began on September 25^th of this year and is expected to assess how bartenders interact with and pour from the bottle, and how the bottle fares in a bar environment. A total of 250 paper-based bottles are being for the trial period which is expected to run until mid-October 2024.

Diageo said that members of the public will be able to see the bottles in use behind the bar, however they cannot purchase the bottle. This will be the second paper-based bottle trial from Diageo and PA, following the success of the Baileys paper-based bottle mini format (80ml) trial, using a similar Dry Molded Fiber innovation at the Time Out Festival in Barcelona earlier this year.

Diageo said that the design team had taken learnings from the technical aspects of the miniature format, to make a larger and more complex shape for Johnnie Walker. The bottle’s design retains the iconic square shape of Johnnie Walker Black Label, whilst enhancing the premium appeal with unique facets cut into the sides of the bottle and embossing of the Striding Man on the bottle and closure.

Paper Bottle is about 60% lighter

The trial bottle is made from 90% paper and a very thin plastic liner. The innovative technology makes the paper-based bottle approximately 60% lighter, with initial external life cycle analysis on the prototype showing an up to 47% potential reduction in carbon emissions compared to the Johnnie Walker Black Label glass bottle equivalent. The bottle closure was developed in collaboration with PulPac, Setop DIAM and PA and is made from a unique combination of cork and similar Dry Molded Fiber paper technology as the bottle. It is only intended for use during the trial and excluded from calculations.

The Johnnie Walker Black Label paper-based bottle for this test is designed considering recyclability among other aspects. The plastic liner is designed to not require consumer or bartender disassembly, as it is not attached or bonded to the outer paper layer, assisting recycling facilities to separate without disrupting the recycling process. The stopper used for trial purposes is not recyclable, however alternative solutions are in development. Throughout the trial and further development of the paper-based bottle, the recycling capability will be a key factor for future versions of the bottle as we continue to test, learn and develop.

Jamie Stone, Design and Innovation Expert at PA Consulting, adds: “These bottles break new ground in packaging design and shows the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions.”

Beyond paper-based solutions, the brand recently introduced Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra, the word’s lightest whisky glass bottle, weighing just 180g without the stopper. The design featured a unique teardrop shape, lattice stopper, and bamboo frame to bring luxury and simplicity together. While Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra is a design experiment, the insights gained will guide future glass light-weighting initiatives across the Diageo portfolio.

These latest innovations form part of Diageo’s ambition to reduce its carbon footprint by exploring new packaging formats, including the launch of a 70cl aluminum spirits bottle with Baileys, a global licensing agreement with circular economy technology company ecoSPIRITS, and removing the cardboard gift boxes in its premium Scotch portfolio to reduce excess packaging.

Drinking Trends in India

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Johnnie Walker, The Glenlivet, Indri, Bacardi, Patrón, Campari, Jameson, Kingfisher, Himalayan, and Schweppes dominate the list
71 Indian Brands Make the Top Ten List in different categories

A recent report ranks India’s ten most popular consumer brand choices across twenty different alcohol and non-alcohol categories, including Vodka, Single Malt, Gin, Beer, Rum, Aperitifs, Mixers, Water, and more. The report is based on direct responses from bar owners, head bartenders, and bar and beverage managers of 116 top bars in the country, spread across 15 cities in a dozen states. An impressive 616 brands were mentioned in this year’s survey, reflecting the diversity of India’s drinking culture.

The brands that top the survey rankings include Bombay Sapphire in the Gin Category; Grey Goose in Vodka; Jägermeister in Liqueurs; Patrón in Agave; Bacardi in Rum; Campari in Amaro/Aperitif; Hapusa in Indian Craft/Native Spirits; Indri in Indian Single Malts; Indri in Indian Premium Whiskies; Johnnie Walker in Blended Scotch/Malt; The Glenlivet in International Single Malts; Jameson in International Whisky; Hennessy in Brandy & Cognac; Sula in Indian Still Wines; Jacob’s Creek in International Still Wines; Moët & Chandon in Sparkling Wine; Kingfisher in Indian Beer; Corona in International Beer; Himalayan in Water; Schweppes in Mixers.

Mix of bars from across cities

As with the 2023 edition, ‘What India is Drinking 2024’, despite its name, is focussed on a small slice of the country’s giant liquor market – the drinking habits of Indians who frequent premium bars in the country’s biggest cities. The list of bars is drawn is a mix of independent bars, restaurant bars and hotel bars. No sales figures were asked for, and no sales figures were provided, 30BestBars said.

It further mentioned that each respondent was asked to rank their 5 top-selling brands over the past year, across important categories such as Whisky, Vodka, Gin, Wine, Beer, Rum, Wine, Mixers, Water and many others. In some of the minor categories, the respondents were asked to name their top 3 top-selling brands. The brands mentioned could be Indian or International, unless specified otherwise. A weighted average system was used to arrive at the final tally. With burgeoning interest in cocktails across the country, the survey also has listed the most sought-after cocktails in these bars. It targetted five popular spirit segments for cocktails – Gin, Vodka, Agave, Rum, and Whisky – for this exercise.

9 Facts about Johnnie Walker

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Discover 9 fascinating facts about Johnnie Walker, one of the most iconic whisky brands in the world! From its humble beginnings to its global reach, learn about the brand’s unique process, the story behind its iconic logo, and more. Whether you’re a whisky person or just starting your journey, this video has something for everyone. So grab a dram and join us for 9 Facts about Johnnie Walker!