With cooling temperatures prevailing across Hong Kong, one unmistakable truth is emerging: Winter is here. And, with the countdown to the final season of TV phenomenon Game of Thrones well under way – April 2019! – there was no better time for renowned whisky brand Johnnie Walker to unveil its latest GoT-inspired tipple: the limited-edition White Walker by Johnnie Walker.
Inspired by the most enigmatic of GoT characters – the White Walker – Johnnie Walker has brought all its considerable design expertise to bear to create the most appropriately frosty bottle for the special release. Even the most passing of glances at the beautiful bottle will reveal its fantastical inspirations. Amidst a swirl of white and blue frosted glass, the brand’s iconic Striding Man mascot has donned battle armour in preparation for the massive showdown with the Night King’s forces. In a deft nod to GoT’s famed motto ‘Winter is Coming’ (and to allow partakers to know the bottle is sufficiently chilled) once its temperature reaches sub-zero, the hidden words ‘Winter is Here’ magically appears on its side.
Within the glamorous exterior lies a succulently smooth blended Scotch – with tasting notes of vanilla, red berries and caramelised sugar – created using single malts from Cardhu and Clynelish, one of Scotland’s northernmost distilleries. Blender George Harper used the Frozen North as his starting point for creating White Walker. He said: “Whiskies from Clynelish have endured long, Scottish Winters, not dissimilar to the long periods endured by the Night’s Watch who have ventured north of the wall – so it was the perfect place to start when creating this unique whisky.”
In a move that thrilled Hong Kong’s whisky enthusiasts, Johnnie Walker recently held an exclusive White Walker launch party at “This Town Needs” in Yau Tong. For the special occasion, the venue was completely transformed into a winter wonderland, replete with falling snow, icy displays and life-sized, frosty Striding Man models. Guests were afforded the opportunity sample White Walker neat or in cocktail form to the beats of a live DJ.
With a limited release of just 3,000 bottles available, any true whisky aficionado should head to the stores sooner rather than later if they want to secure their own bottle of Johnnie Walker’s limited-edition White Walker by Johnnie Walker. Take it as a reward for all of you who face the coming storm and never stop walking.
