• by Teresa Buyikian , Yesterday

A new whisky collab is bringing together high fashion and master blending to create what Johnnie Walker is calling “couture” whiskies that reflect the creativity of both the designer and distiller.

Johnnie Walker’s master blender, Dr. Emma Walker, has partnered with Olivier Rousteing, creative director of Balmain, to launch the first of what will be a two-part collaboration.

Johnnie Walker is promoting the collab via a new high style online short film, viewable on Instagram.

The new Couture Expression blends, themed around the four seasons,  are part of the Johnnie Walker Vault, which is the brand’s new global luxury platform, “grounded in blending artistry, uniting bespoke blends, luxurious experiences and collaborations with cultural icons all under one visionary banner.”  Olivier Rousteing is the first cultural collaborator invited to work within the Johnnie Walker Vault.

“Olivier brought an emotional language to the blending creation, and we worked together to explore what whisky can express, technically, sensorially and artistically,” said Walker in the release. “We deliberately chose to use the same whiskies across several of the seasons, playing with proportions, textures and seasonal notes to create four distinct expressions of whiskies."

The Spring blend is “refreshing and floral,” and created with rare whiskies including a 1985 Cragganmore, a 1977 Caledonian and minerality from a 1978 Port Ellen.

Summer is “vibrant… with tropical fruit notes” and crafted from whiskies such as an “experimental Cardhu Wine Cask Finish and a 1990 Clynelish with 1988 Benrinnes.”

Fall is “textured and bold,” with an experimental Teaninich chocolate malt layered with “smoke” from the 1978 Port Ellen.

Winter is “deep and contemplative,” made with Islay malts from Port Ellen and Brora with a mulled wine and sweetness from the 1988 Benrinnes.

The limited-edition blends, which sell for approximately $21,000 each, are only available online at https://www.johnniewalker.com/en-gb/vault.