Serve it neat, on the rocks, or mix, shake or stir it up in a cocktail: Whisky is the definitive spirit of the season and the most luxurious of them all, in my opinion, is the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami. But let me tell you why.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami

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This rare and extraordinary whisky is a blend of Scotland’s rarest whiskies. It has a remarkable depth of flavor, thanks to the collaboration between renowned Chef Kei Kobayashi of three-Michelin-starred restaurant Kei in Paris, and Johnnie Walker’s Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker. Their goal was to capture umami, that elusive flavor dimension of perfect, soul-satisfying savoriness. And key to this endeavor is the fact that Chef Kei has the unique distinction of holding a PhD in chemistry!

The hunt to capture umami—also known as the 'fifth taste' in addition to sweet, sour, salty and bitter—was epic. 'We knew we were taking a step into the unknown by embarking on an exciting journey of flavour exploration. Together, we wanted to push the boundaries of what scotch could be and bring,' said Dr. Walker. And they did it!

Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker at the launch of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami in Manila.

The result is this beautifully-balanced Blended Scotch, a whisky of sweet and savory flavors with notes of blood oranges, red berries with sweet wood spice, a touch of smoked meat, and a hint of salt and pepper with a long, sweet fruit finish.

Chef Kei relates, 'What I was looking for with Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami is not only the taste but an emotion—think of the forest at 5 am as the scents rise after the rain. It should be a feast for the senses.”

Only one in 25,000 casks succeeds in bringing this elusive character to life.

The exclusive launch of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami took place at the recently reopened Makati Shangri-la Hotel. The one-night-only, eight-hands tasting experience was graced by Dr. Emma Walker herself along with four of Manila's best chefs: Edwin Loh of Makati Shangri-La, Don Baldosano of Linamnam, and Chef Nicco Reyes and Chef Quenee Vilar of Café Aurora.

From left: Chef Edwin Loh, Chef Don Baldosano, Chef Nicco Reyes, Chef Quenee Vilar and Dr. Emma Walker

Guests were also serenaded by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra which elevated everyone’s tasting experience.

The Feast for the Senses explored the facets of umami as represented by the elements of wind, earth, and water. Each element came to life through the different courses by each chef, expertly paired with the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami.

Wrap up a bottle of Blue Label Elusive Umami for the friend who throws the best parties, for your brother who's everybody’s favorite host, or that cousin who mixes the meanest of cocktails. Complex, sophisticated and delightfully different, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami is the blend above all blends and a drink that really makes an evening.

This new limited edition release is availablein limited quantities in the Philippines - get yours exclusively at S&R, through Diageo Private Sales Channel via diageoprestige.ph@diageo.com and Singlemalt.ph.