Bartenders around the world were asked to get creative and share an Instagram reel of their own Johnnie Walker Black Label cocktail, explaining why the blended Scotch whisky works perfectly in the service.
Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch Whiskey, has announced the winners of its Black Label Global Bartender Challenge, with local bartenders Abraham Reinehard, head bartender at Alila Hotel SCBD Burger, and Willy Gunawan, restaurant manager and from the Vong Kitchen bar. at the Alila Hotel SCBD, winning an exclusive three-night Black Label immersive experience in Scotland, the home of Johnnie Walker.
With entries from over forty countries, the services of Abraham Reinehard and Willy Gunawan were selected as the two winners from Asia, with only six other winners selected from across the world.
Abraham ReinehardThe winning Jakarta Mule cocktail combines Johnnie Walker Black Label with artichoke vermouth, bitters, calamansi puree, elderflower syrup and local, traditional Bir Pletok.
Willy GunawanWalker Lang’s winning cocktail, named Caka Walker Lang, is inspired by one of his favorite local dishes: Cakalang. The cocktail combines Johnnie Walker Black Label, turmeric, kaffir lime-infused vermouth, lemon juice, agave syrup and habanero bitters to represent the dish’s ingredients.
The trip, which is set to take place over Burns Night weekend in January 2025, will offer winners the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Burns Night celebration in a truly authentic way, as well as experiences including a tour of the Diageo Archives; a behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery; a deconstructed tasting of Johnnie Walker Black Label with Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr Emma Walker; and the opportunity to enjoy a range of experiences across the home of the Johnnie Walker brand: Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
The winners were selected by Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador Tim Philips-Johansson and Jan Šebek, winner of the Johnnie Walker Challenge at Diageo World Class 2023. The entries were shortlisted and recreated by the judges at a tasting session in Amsterdam to determine which entries used Johnnie Walker Black Label in the most exciting and balanced way.
“I am very happy to have been named the winner of the Johnnie Walker Black Label Bartender Challenge. It’s great for me, as a bartender in this industry, to be able to share my experience behind the bar, especially being able to share my cocktail inspired by Indonesian culture with the world. Indonesia is widely known for its herbs and spices and I think the ‘Jakarta Mule’ will be remembered forever,” expressed Abraham Reinehard in an exclusive interview.
Willy Gunawan also shared his excitement: “The Johnnie Walker Black Label Bartender Challenge is a great opportunity for bartenders and it was great to use local ingredients. Indonesia is widely known for its herbs and spices and there are many ways to explore them. For example, my cocktail was inspired by one of our traditional dishes from Manado, North Sulawesi. I enjoyed combining local ingredients with the world’s best Scotch whisky and I am very happy and honoured to have been selected as the winner for the Asia region. #KeepWalking.”
Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador Tim Phillips-Johansson congratulated both winners in his speech, acknowledging that Abraham’s cocktail was delicious and very well balanced in terms of flavor profile. He and fellow judge Jan particularly enjoyed the complementary flavors of ginger and elderflower and found the use of artichoke liqueur excellent. As for Willy’s cocktail, it was a great combination of flavors. We loved how the turmeric complemented both the Johnnie Walker Black Label and the kaffir lime leaf and the addition of the habanero bitters, which gave the cocktail a slight tang, was a brilliant idea.
The initiative was designed to highlight Johnnie Walker Black Label’s liquid credentials and give back to those who have supported the award-winning blended Scotch whiskey within the bartending community.
Johnnie Walker Black Label was created over 100 years ago by the Walker family who were not satisfied with the monotonous flavours and inconsistent whiskies of their time. They took bold steps to create a decidedly better Scotch whisky – expertly blended to create the rich, iconic flavour that is still produced today. Johnnie Walker Black Label selects the finest whiskies from Scotland’s Four Corners, each expressing the distinctive aromas and tastes of that region, to create a beautifully balanced liquid that is celebrated around the world.
For more information, visit @johnniewalker on Instagram or contact Smarts at: johnniewalkerpressoffice@smarts.agency
About Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch whisky brand (IWSR 2023), enjoyed by consumers in over 180 countries around the world. Since the days of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have sought above all else flavour and quality.
The current range of award-winning whiskeys includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, Blue Label and Blonde. Together, they represent more than 21 million cases sold each year (IWSR, 2022). Johnnie Walker is also the best-selling Scotch whiskey and the trendiest Scotch whiskey (Drinks International, 2024).
About Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Black Label, the world’s best-selling premium Scotch whisky, is made from over 29 whiskeys from across Scotland. The whiskeys used to create Johnnie Walker Black Label are aged to the exact point where they reach their peak of vibrant flavor, which takes time and patience. 12 years is often the ideal period for aging whiskeys, resulting in the incomparably rich and smooth taste of Johnnie Walker Black Label.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an exceptional collection of brands across the spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company whose products are sold in more than 180 countries worldwide. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, brands and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global resource on responsible drinking, www.DRINKiQ.com, for insights, initiatives and ways to share best practice.
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