Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami: A whisky with a special aromatic accent

Petra Milde |

Created in collaboration with star chef Kei Kobayashi

 

A new Johnnie Walker Blue Label has been released and is currently also available at Whisky.de: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami. For this Johnny Walker, Master Blender Emma Walker, in collaboration with chef Kei Kobayashi, selected casks from various Scottish distilleries that had a special aromatic accent to offer. Only one out of 25,000 barrels has this special flavour profile with the aroma "Umami", Diageo informs in its press release about the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami.

Umami, the fifth flavour

"Umami" is a fifth flavour next to sweet, salty, sour and bitter. It is best described as spicy, savoury or even meaty. The word's origin lies in the Japanese language and so Johnnie Walker's collaboration with Japanese chef Kei Kobayashi is fitting in more ways than one. Kobayashi grew up in the Nagano region of Japan. His father was also a chef, but while his father was dedicated to traditional cuisine, he was drawn to Paris, where he now devotes himself to combining European and Asian cuisine. His restaurant Kei was awarded three Michelin stars in 2023.

A unique sensory experience

Kobayashi says: "Umami possesses a mysterious quality that ignites our senses, revealing sumptuous taste, complexity and depth. Encapsulating that alluring flavor through Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami allows you to immerse your palate in an exquisite Scotch Whisky of subtle richness."

Emma Walker adds: "When we set out to create Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami, it wasn't just a blending experience, but a gastronomic exploration. Getting acquainted with the intensity of the umami flavor was the key to creating this exceptional Scotch Whisky. Best served neat with caviar to unlock the full depth of this unique sensory experience."

The official tasting notes for the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami

NOSE Sweet and savoury, fresh green & red apples, confectionary sweetness, hints of cashew nut, notes of salt brine and savoury accentuated without losing freshness. A scent of aromatic persistence.

PALATE Apple and white peach touch the senses first. Sweet, smooth and long – mandarins, blood oranges and red berries, the longer finish of sweet wood spice, a touch of smoked meat, and warming salt and pepper with a long, sweet fruit finish.

FINISH The liquid has a long, sweet fruit finish of sweet wood spice.

 

Image: Diageo

About the author Petra Milde

Petra Milde is a freelance author of books and specialist writing about spirits and food. She has been supporting the Whisky.de editorial team since 2015 and creates informative and entertaining articles in the news section.

Besides her writing work, she moderates tastings and can be met at spirits fairs, both behind the stands and in front of them, looking for new products and interesting people to talk to.

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