Johnnie Walker's Journey of Taste

An unexpected thing happened when Al Yoshiki, my ex-Chapters buddy told me how I could get myself invited to an exclusive Johnnie Walker Journey of Taste. After going through the drill, I finally received an invite for a friend and me. I'm glad my longtime friend Angela agreed to come with me.

Upon entering the venue, we were greeted cordially by the pleasant staff. We were given 2 tokens each, entitling us to 2 cocktail Johnnie Walker Black (JWB) drinks. Shortly thereafter, we were invited for roast beef dinner, complete with accoutrements. Finally, we were all seated in the grand hall for the main event. JW Master Blender Ian Low, who flew in from Glasgow was there to be our host. With humor and charm, he took us to the journey on how JWB was all about - it's history, a few interesting trivia and the 40 or so single malts making up the JWB recipe, the best-kept whiskey recipe that ever was. While Ian took us to the places where 4 of the single malt whiskies were being distilled, he took careful detail in describing the geography of the place (the highlands, lowlands, wind-swept isolated island) and how it contributed to the unique single malt being produced in that area. He would then beckon us to savor that particular whiskey - from the swirling, body (legs), nosing, tasting and the lingering finish. Finally, after being toured on the attributes of the 4 single malts, he takes us to taste the JWB. My take is that all the finest attributes of these 40 prestigious single malts were carefully blended to a single magnificence called Johnnie Walker Black.

I thought we would be sent home after that, but coffee and dessert was served at the bar shortly thereafter. Ian was also available to talk to the guests - including yours truly.

While leaving the place, we were handed another unexpected surprise - a loot bag with personalized certificate of our attendance and a 200 ml JWB!

This is one event where one good thing was outdone by the next. But here's the best part yet...it's free! What a class act by one very classy Scotch.

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