JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL WELCOMES INDIA'S FESTIVE SEASON WITH A NEW BLEND, CONTINUING ITS CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH RAHUL MISHRA

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnnie Walker, the world's No 1 Scotch whisky¹, announces the launch of the new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Indian Festive Blend, a rare new expression and design created to celebrate India's festive season. Building on the success of last year's inaugural release, the launch celebrates the meeting of exceptional Scotch Whisky craftsmanship and contemporary Indian design.

Inspired by the vibrant flavors and spirit of India, the new limited edition blend has been created by Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr Emma Walker using some of the rarest whiskies from the brand's unparalleled reserves of more than 10 million aging whiskies, where only one in every 10,000 casks is considered to have the remarkable depth of flavor required for Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Developed specifically to complement the richness and diversity of Indian cuisine, the Indian Festive Blend is inspired by the harmony at the heart of India's culinary heritage, where spice, sweetness and aromatic complexity exist in perfect balance. The result is a bold yet refined Blended Scotch Whisky that is unmistakably Johnnie Walker Blue Label while offering a flavor profile inspired by the spirit of Indian celebration.

Dr Emma Walker says: "I was captivated by the artistry of Indian cuisine, the way chefs balance bold spice with harmony, elegance and depth. That sense of balance became my inspiration for this special Blue Label blend.

"By layering aromatic notes of cardamom, clove and cinnamon with smooth sweetness and our signature depth of flavor, we've created a whisky that complements the richness of India's festive table while remaining unmistakably Johnnie Walker Blue Label."

Each sip reveals layered notes of fragrant cardamom and saffron, delicate rosewater and bright citrus, honeyed richness and chocolate-dipped fruit, all balanced by warm spices and a gentle wisp of smoke. Together, these flavors evoke the richness of the festive table, the warmth of shared celebration and the glow of fireworks lighting up the night sky.

The launch of the new whisky marks the second year of the Johnnie Walker collaboration with celebrated Indian couturier Rahul Mishra, continuing a shared commitment to craftsmanship, creativity and progressive design.

Jamie Young, Vice President of Scotch at Diageo says: "For this year's Indian Festive Blend, we wanted to create something that felt truly special for the moments that bring people together during the festive season. By pairing a vibrant new design with a new blend of our exceptional whisky, this release celebrates the warmth of gathering, the generosity of gifting and joy the season brings, while honoring the communities and traditions that continue to shape it."

The launch marks the beginning of a wider festive campaign from Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Rahul Mishra. Throughout the coming months, consumers can expect a series of exclusive experiences, immersive activations and curated celebrations that further explore the intersection of rare whisky craftsmanship, Indian culture and contemporary design.

Rahul Mishra says: "The festive season in India is deeply rooted in emotion, generosity and togetherness. For me, true luxury carries meaning, preserving craftsmanship while creating lasting memories. Collaborating once again with Johnnie Walker Blue Label has been an opportunity to celebrate those shared values through design."

ABOUT JOHNNIE WALKER:
Johnnie Walker is the world's number 1 Scotch Whisky brand* (IWSR 2023) & the world's number one International Spirits Brand* (IWSR 2023 Relative Market Share), enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavor and quality above all else.   

Today's range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Blonde, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label. Together they account for over 22 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2023). Johnnie Walker is also the number one best-selling Scotch and number one trending Scotch (Drinks International, 2024).

*By RSV 2023

ABOUT DIAGEO:
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in nearly 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Crafting iconic drinks chosen for life's moments.

¹ IWSR 2024

SOURCE DIAGEO