MANILA, PHILIPPINES – An experience like no other—Diageo is home to some of the world’s rarest and most exceptional spirits. In the Philippines, the company is expanding its presence in this space, starting with the launch of the Johnnie Walker Luxury Boutique in partnership with S&R.
Highlighting Diageo’s Rare & Exceptional portfolio which includes Johnnie Walker, this latest venture caters to needs for customization and exclusivity. It also hosts private mentoring where shoppers are given the opportunity to taste, view, and order a selection of the rarest whiskies that are only accessible to a select few.
“The past years have shown a growing interest in scotch whisky globally, and this has also been felt here in the Philippines. It is evident in the growing assortment we see in retail and ecommerce. With the launch of the first ever Johnnie Walker Luxury Boutique here in S&R, we are now even better positioned to meet the market’s demand for customization and exclusivity,” said Nio Judalena, Diageo Philippines Marketing Director.
In partnership with S&R Membership Shopping Inc., the country’s largest hypermarket, shoppers can now enjoy the breadth, depth, and exclusive offers of Diageo through the Johnnie Walker Luxury Boutique. It was launched last April 1 at S&R Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
“S&R has always been the destination channel for imported spirits, and it just makes sense that the first ever Johnnie Walker Luxury Boutique will be launched in this channel,” he added.
For his part, Karl Alexander Cotaoco, the vice president of S&R’s Buying-Food Division, said, “While staying true to the Membership Club format, S&R is always open to collaborate and find new ways to excite its members. And we thank Diageo for this partnership. We hope that these efforts will deliver a new level of excitement to the S&R Members through the unique offering that the Luxury Boutique has to offer.”
Luxury portfolio
Diageo, Scotland’s largest exporter of Scotch whisky and other spirits, has an outstanding collection of over 200 brands enjoyed in more than 180 countries. Its brands are crafted, authentic, relevant, luxury, with something for every taste and celebration.
Its flagship brand for the Luxury portfolio is Johnnie Walker Blue Label, where velvety smooth flavors blossom on the tongue. Johnnie Walker Blue Label comes from hand-selecting rare Scotch Whiskies with a remarkable depth of flavor. Only one in 10,000 casks make the cut. Best served neat, along with an ice-cold water to enhance its powerful character.
“Filipinos like celebrating milestones, big and small, and one of the most thoughtful ways to signify importance of a celebration is by bringing out a special bottle of whisky like Johnnie Walker Blue Label,” said Fatima Espineda-Caeg, Marketing Manager for Diageo’s Dark Spirits Category.
“Enjoying a dram is already a pleasurable journey on its own. From the smell of the whisky, the taste, the mouth- feel, and the finish, each and every sip is a unique experience because there is always more to discover in the deep and complex flavors of a whisky,” explained Espineda-Caeg.
The John Walker and Sons Collection
Alongside the launch of its first luxury boutique in the country, Diageo also showcases its John Walker and Sons Collection, which is the luxury tier of Johnnie Walker—a collection of exceptional blended Scotch whiskies inspired by its illustrious history and crafted using rare casks from its blenders’ unparalleled reserves.
The John Walker & Sons Collection encapsulates its commitment to supreme quality and craft. It includes the John Walker and Sons XR21 and King George V.
“The small batch nature of the blending for these whiskies allows us to pay close attention to detail, only possible at this scale—from individually selecting the rarest and most exceptional whiskies, to vatting different styles and characters and skillfully bringing them together to create a final blend; all ensuring the most extraordinary flavors are fully revealed,” said Espineda-Caeg.
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an unrivalled masterpiece. It is an exquisite blend made from some of Scotland’s rarest and most exceptional whiskies. Only one in every ten thousand casks has the elusive quality, character, and flavor to deliver the remarkable signature taste of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
“This is an extraordinary whisky for extraordinary occasions. Enjoy Johnnie Walker Blue Label in any way you like, on its own, over ice, or with a dash of water,” Espineda-Caeg added.
Inspired by Sir Alexander Walker’s original blending notes, John Walker & Sons XR21 is opulent, indulgent, and exquisitely crafted. But behind that rarefied exterior is an intense and warm character—subtle notes of spiced vanilla, sweet hints of golden honey, and an exceptionally smooth finish.
The John Walker & Sons King George V, on the other hand, is created using only the finest whiskies from distilleries that were operating during George’s twenty-five-year reign (1910-1936), some of which no longer exist. They are blended together to reflect the distinctive Johnnie Walker style of the era.
It is an opulent and regal blend. Sensuous, layered, and intense, the John Walker & Sons King George V is a kaleidoscope of flavors and aromas. Hints of roasted nuts, dark chocolate and an imposing sweet smokiness combine elegantly with suggestions of honey, citrus orange, and rose petals. “This is an extremely complex luxury whisky,” Espineda-Caeg said.
The John Walker & Sons King George V also commemorates the granting of the Royal Warrant to Johnnie Walker by King George V on January 1, 1934. By then, JW was already well on its way to becoming an iconic global brand. With the granting of the Royal Warrant, the iconic Johnnie Walker continues to be supplied to the Royal Household, until now.
Boutique opening
The first Johnnie Walker Luxury Boutique in the Philippines is open to the public starting April 1, 2022.
The boutique also features a Whisky flavor map for customers to explore other flavors of Diageo luxury portfolio, as well as engraving machine where shoppers who purchase either a Johnnie Walker Blue Label or Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky can customize their purchased bottles with a message or name via its in-store engraving services. The boutique also offers exclusive John Walker and Sons gift bags, and reusable gift tags for their everyday gifting needs.
It will also offer tasting kits for customers who purchase more than Php 15,000 from the boutique, which will be available to shoppers until June 30, 2022.
“We believe that owning a bottle of whisky, especially a rare one, is an invitation to experience it and share it with the people who matter most to you. And we want Diageo brands, especially Johnnie Walker to be part of those celebrations and milestones, big and small,” Judalena said.
