Bartenders from across the world were invited to get creative and share an Instagram reel of their own signature Johnnie Walker Black Label cocktail, explaining why the blended Scotch whisky works perfectly in the serve.
Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch Whisky, has announced the winners of its Black Label Global Bartender Challenge, with local bartenders Abraham Reinehard, Head Bartender at Le Burger at the Alila Hotel SCBD, and Willy Gunawan, Restaurant & Bar Manager at Vong Kitchen at the Alila Hotel SCBD, winning an exclusive three-night immersive Black Label experience in Scotland, the home of Johnnie Walker.
With entries from over forty countries, Abraham Reinehard and Willy Gunawan’s serves were selected as the two winners from Asia, with only six other winners selected from across the globe.
Abraham Reinehard’s winning cocktail, named Jakarta Mule, combines Johnnie Walker Black Label with artichoke vermouth, bitters, calamansi purée, elderflower syrup and local, traditional Bir Pletok.
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Willy Gunawan’s winning cocktail, named Caka Walker Lang, is inspired by one of his favourite local dishes: Cakalang. The cocktail combines Johnnie Walker Black Label, turmeric, kaffir-infused vermouth, lemon juice, agave syrup and habanero bitters to represent the ingredients of the dish.
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The trip, which is due to take place across the Burns Night weekend in January 2025, will offer the winners the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Burns Night celebration in a truly authentic way, as well as experiences including a visit to the Diageo Archive; a behind-the-scenes distillery tour; a deconstructed tasting of Johnnie Walker Black Label with Dr Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker Master Blender; and the opportunity to enjoy an array of experiences throughout the Johnnie Walker Brand home: Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
The winners were selected by Tim Philips-Johansson, Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador and Jan Šebek, the winner of the Johnnie Walker challenge at Diageo World Class 2023.Entries were shortlisted and recreated by the judges during a tasting session in Amsterdam to determine which entries used the Johnnie Walker Black Label in the most exciting yet balanced way.
“I am so happy to be named a winner of the Johnnie Walker Black Label Bartender Challenge. It’s great for me as a bartender in this industry 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 herbs and spices and I believe ‘Jakarta Mule’ will be remembered forever” Abraham Reinehard expressed his excitement during an exclusive interview.
Willy Gunawan also showed his enthusiasm,”The Johnnie Walker Black Label Bartender Challenge is a really good opportunity for bartenders and it was great to be using local ingredients. Indonesia is widely known for herbs and spices and there are many ways to explore these, for example, my cocktail was inspired by one of our traditional dishes from Manado in North Sulawesi. I enjoyed combining local ingredients with the best Scotch Whisky in the world and I am very happy and honoured to be selected as a winner for the Asia Region. #KeepWalking.”
Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador Tim Phillips-Johansson complimented both winners through his speech, acknowledging Abraham’s cocktail was delicious and very well balanced across the flavour profile. He and the other judge Jan particularly enjoyed the way the ginger and elderflower flavours complemented each other and thought the use of the artichoke liqueur was excellent. As for Willy’s cocktail was a great combination of flavours. We loved the way the turmeric complemented both the Johnnie Walker Black Label and kaffir lime leaf and the addition of the habanero bitters, which gave the cocktail a light spiciness, was a brilliant idea.”
The initiative was designed to shine a light on Johnnie Walker Black Label’s liquid credentials and give back to those who have supported the award-winning blended Scotch whisky within the bartender community.
Johnnie Walker Black Label was first created over 100 years ago by the Walker family who were not content with the one-note flavours and inconsistent whiskies of their day. They took bold steps to make a significantly better Scotch Whisky – expertly blended to create the rich, iconic flavour that is still made today. Johnnie Walker Black Label takes the very best whiskies from the Four Corners of Scotland, each expressing the aromas and tastes typical of that region, to create a beautifully balanced liquid celebrated worldwide.
For further information, please 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 people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above all else.
Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, Blue Label and Blonde. Together they account for over 21 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2022). Johnnie Walker is also the number one best-selling Scotch and number one trending Scotch (Drinks International, 2024).
About Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Black Label, the biggest-selling premium Scotch in the world, is made using more than 29 whiskies from the four corners of Scotland. The whiskies used to create Johnnie Walker Black Label are matured to the exact point where they’ve reached their peak of vibrant flavour – this takes time and patience. 12 years is often an ageing sweet spot for maturing whiskies – resulting in the unmistakably rich and smooth taste that is Johnnie Walker Black Label.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across 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, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practices.
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