From Johnnie Walker Master Blender Emma Walker and Buchanan’s Master Blender Maureen Robinson to Bulleit Blender Eboni Major and Crown Royal Master Whisky Blender Joanna Scandella, the international drinks giant said the Craftswomen program aims to highlight the incredible work these women do to create and promote their brands.
To coincide with the launch of the new project, Diageo is launching two new limited-edition whisky innovations from Johnnie Walker and Bulleit that will hit shelves this Spring.
The first of these is Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, a new blend from Master Blender Emma Walker, and the second Bulleit Bourbon Blenders’ Select No. 001 from Blender Eboni Major.
Sophie Kelly, senior vice president of Whiskies, Diageo North America, said: "We could not be prouder to debut this fantastic line up of limited-edition whiskies that will introduce more people to the incredibly skilled women behind these iconic brands.
"This is yet another step in our ongoing commitment to becoming an industry leader in equality and inclusivity through impact driving programming and product innovation."
The new Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker limited edition blend follows the 2018 release of the Jane Walker Edition of their popular Black Label.
Diageo said the new blend features whisky from Cardhu at its heart - a Speyside distillery which flourished under the leadership of Elizabeth Cumming.
This pioneering woman ultimately sold Cardhu to the Walker family in 1893, but played a significant role in the brand’s history.
A spokesperson for Diageo said: "Now, with access to more than ten million casks of maturing whisky from distilleries across Scotland, Emma Walker carries forward this tradition.
"Combining her extensive scientific research and spirits industry background with a precise palette and understanding of flavour, she brings to life a well-rounded and smooth whisky in Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, featuring notes of ripe orchard fruit and white peaches, which develop into hints of baked apple and sweet cream, with a lingering dark chocolate finish."
Speaking about the launch, Emma Walker added: “Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker is a celebration of the pioneering women who stretched boundaries throughout the history of Johnnie Walker, and the whisky is an excellent example of the depth of flavour and innovative blends we can create from our incredible reserves."
Bulleit Bourbon Blenders’ Select No. 001 is the latest innovation out of Bulleit Distilling Co. which showcases the skill of Bulleit Blender Eboni Major and features a marriage of three out of the 10 whiskey types used to make the original Bulleit Bourbon.
Eboni said: "Being given the creative freedom to take the traditionally higher rye experience that Bulleit is synonymous with and craft something brand new is an incredible honour and is also what makes my job so fun! Fruit-forward, rich and delightfully complex, Bulleit Bourbon Blenders’ Select No. 001 is a true expression of who I am as a blender."
