Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Rabbit is a limited edition of the iconic Scotch blend, released by Diageo to mark the Lunar New Year 2023. The label, featuring this year's zodiac animal leaping among mountain peaks above the silhouette of the Striding Man, was designed by Angel Chen. The Shanghai-born designer, a fashion student at Central Saint Martins College of Art in London, captured in her artwork the themes of grace, elegance and beauty symbolised by the rabbit.
The liquid inside is the classic Blue Label, a blend that debuted in 1992. Blue Label draws on Diageo's unparalleled reserves of maturing Scotch from four regions – Highland, Lowland, Speyside and Islay – including closed distilleries to which Johnnie Walker has privileged access. Only one cask in ten thousand possesses the qualities, character and flavour needed to deliver the distinctive profile of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The composition is the work of a team of blenders led by Master Blender Emma Walker.
The aroma profile remains faithful to the standard release. On the nose, waves of spice give way to vanilla and honey, while on the palate caramel and hazelnut interweave with dark chocolate. An abundance of spice and dried fruit derived from Speyside and Highland Scotch whiskies is balanced by vanilla, releasing layers of sweet fruit, dark chocolate, toffee and roasted nuts. Whisky from Port Ellen adds a coastal smokiness that gathers pace in the long finish.
The whisky is bottled at 0.7 litres with a strength of 40%. The edition was produced exclusively in a limited run and is no longer made, which makes it a collector's item – its value rests both on the rarity of the blend itself and on its bespoke graphic design.