Elusive Umami: Johnnie Walker Blue Label and the Liquid that Awakens the Fifth Taste
The Award-Winning Formula of Scotch Whisky, Crafted by Master Blender Emma Walker and Renowned Chef Kei Kobayashi.
The challenge was to decipher one of the most mysterious senses in the world: Umami, a Japanese word that describes the fifth taste on the human palate, going beyond the well-known bitter, sour, sweet, and salty flavors. With this mission, the new Johnnie Walker Blue Label, known as Elusive Umami, arrives on the global market, offering a premium experience promoted by Diageo, the world leader in the premium beverages market.
This limited edition is the result of an unprecedented collaboration between Master Distiller Emma Walker, one of the most renowned whisky experts in the world, and award-winning Japanese chef Kei Kobayashi, holder of three Michelin stars at his restaurant in France. The result is a perfect blend that captures the balance between sweet and savory flavors, with notes of orange, red berries, woody spices, a smoky touch, salt, and pepper, culminating in a long, deliciously fruity finish.
To achieve the enigmatic taste of Umami and incorporate it into the world’s number-one whisky, the duo combined years of experience with a meticulous barrel selection, where only one in 25,000 casks could give life to the indescribable essence present in the final liquid.
“When we decided to capture the characteristics of Umami, we knew we were venturing into uncharted territory, embarking on an exciting journey of flavor discovery. We wanted to bring an innovative offering to the world,” explains Emma Walker. “Umami has a mysterious quality that awakens our senses, revealing a taste of complexity and depth. I believe we captured this essence precisely in Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami,” adds Kobayashi.
Another intriguing feature of this liquid is its perfect pairing with caviar. A measure of this whisky combined with a small portion of this delicacy can provide multisensory experiences.
Upon its global launch, João Matos, Global Marketing and Innovation Director at Johnnie Walker, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to innovation. “We want to push beyond the limits of what’s possible in the world of whisky. Elusive Umami does exactly that, opening the doors to a flavor rarely seen in the cocktail world. Certainly, this journey has resulted in a liquid that will inspire a new generation of beverage enthusiasts.”
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami enters the market as a limited edition, with only six thousand bottles available, and will be on sale from November on the brand’s official site, TheBar (br.thebar.com), for a price of R$ 2,600.
