Johnnie Walker film story of Red Rye Finish

Diageo's blended Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker is celebrating the release of Red Rye Finish, the first in its Blenders' Batch series, with a film showing blender Emma Walker journey from Scotland to Manhattan to see how the blend compares to its American cousins.

Red Rye Finish has been created by the brand’s team of blenders, led by master blender Jim Beveridge and is one of the results of experiments into flavour that take place at the brand’s home in Scotland.

Guy Escolme, global brand director at Johnnie Walker says: “Our blenders are constantly experimenting and this is an exciting time for the brand with the release of Red Rye Finish. The Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch range lifts the lid on the skill and never-ending pursuit of flavour that drives the blending team.”

Johnnie Walker blender Emma Walker journeyed from Edinburgh to Manhattan to see how Red Rye Finish stacks up against its American cousins and can be seen in a new film entitled: Blenders’ Batch – Emma’s Red Rye In New York.

Emma put Red Rye Finish before some of New York’s most influential mixologists and taste-makers including Dave Arnold, founder and president of the Museum of Food and Drink and owner of the cutting edge Booker and Dax, and bitters and mixology expert Sother Teague, beverage director at Amor y Amargo in Manhattan’s East Village.

Walker says: “We’re proud of every blend we make and know that people choose Johnnie Walker because of its quality. This blend combines all the characteristics of Scotch, matured in first fill American Oak casks with a Rye Cask finish. That’s something I think people won’t expect and I wanted truthful, face-to-face feedback from the people in the know. I was a bit nervous - getting the approval of New York’s top mixology experts for a Manhattan featuring a Johnnie Walker blend instead of traditional American whisky but, happily, it went really well.”

'Blenders’ Batch - Emma’s Red Rye In New York' has been made as part of the Storyline initiative from Johnnie Walker that sees the brand working with a global network of storytellers; including writers, directors, photographers and filmmakers.

Jim Beveridge says: “Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Red Rye Finish is inspired by my own fascination with the bold flavours of American whiskies which first developed while I was working with bourbons and ryes in Louisville, Kentucky over 25 years ago.

Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Red Rye Finish is available from September in more than 50 countries with an RRP of €20.

3 October 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant