Ong Chin Huat is one of the first to taste a blend of the finest single malt whiskies matured for at least 15 years in ex-Sherry oak barrels which held sherry from the Jerez region of Spain.

Just like wine pairing, the folks at Johnnie Walker – the world’s one Scotch Whisky brand which is enjoyed by people in over 180 countries – are also advocating the concept of whisky-pairing with food.

To this end, they have recently unveiled the Johnnie Walker Aged 15 Years Sherry Finish Whisky in only three markets worldwide, namely China, Taiwan and Malaysia. The reason for this new addition? Chinese food. And all varieties of it.

Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Jim Beveridge has created a blend of the finest single malt whiskies such as Elgin and Clynelish and finished in ex-Sherry Oak casks giving it a nuanced taste tinged with flavours of honey, candied fruit and cocoa with aromas of baled apples and vanilla which makes it an ideal accompaniment to Asian cuisine.

Key to this sweetened variety of Johnnie Walker whisky is the ex-Sherry oak casks which hail from the Jerez region of Spain. This sunny and warm region located in southwest Spain produces sherry and the oak casks which held this Spanish sherry has imbued Johnnie Walker’s Scotch whisky with a fragrance and smoothness which is well-balanced.

Choosing specially selected whiskies which have been matured for at least 15 years and finished them in the Spanish ex-sherry oak casks, Beveridge has created a bold new flavoured Scotch Whisky which has a subtle sweetness and great depth for Asian palates.

Chong Wai Keng, Diageo Malaysia Brand Ambassador.

To prove this point, Johnnie Walker hosted a lunch recently at One Seafood Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur pairing this new Sherry Finish whisky with Chinese dishes such as Deep Fried Marble Goby with Johnnie Walker Aged 15 Years Sherry Finish Flambé, Steamed Scottish Clams with Garlic & Glass Noodles, Pan-Fried Lamb Chop with Foie Gras Sauce, Sauteed Hong Kong Kai Lan with Black Truffle, Royal Fried Rice and finally Australian Mango with Sago and Ice Cream.

“The Johnnie Walker Aged 15 Years Sherry Finish is a fine addition to the Walker family — one that showcases the brand’s tireless efforts to push the boundaries of flavour to constantly deliver incomparable experiences. As sherry cask whisky gains popularity among consumers, this new expression will certainly be a favourite among whisky lovers,” said Rajesh Joshi, Marketing Director of Diageo Malaysia.

Rajesh Joshi, Marketing Director of Diageo Malaysia.

The Johnnie Walker Aged 15 Years Sherry Finish perfectly exhibits the flavours of candied fruits, dried fruits, and coco exclusive to sherry. On the nose, a slight floral aroma along with the fragrance of baked apples, honey and vanilla is present without the usual trace of smokiness, while it presents notes of candied fruits, chocolate and nuts exclusive to sherry on the palate, followed by an exquisite floral fragrance. This is a classic flavour profile from the Clynelish Distillery located in the Highland region of Scotland.

Johnnie Walker Aged 15 Years Sherry Finish Whisky – Where and how?

For further information on Johnnie Walker Aged 15 Years Sherry Finish Whisky, please visit www.johnniewalker.com.

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