2022-09-23
Johnnie Walker

JOHNNIE WALKER CELEBRATES THE FAMOUS GLASGOW “GHOST” DISTILLERY OF PORT DUNDAS FOR THE FIFTH RELEASE OF GHOST AND RARE

Johnnie Walker, the world’s No. 1 Scotch Whisky1, announces the fifth release in the award-winning2Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series of limited editions.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas explores the character of exceptional and rare whiskies from one of the world’s most famous Grain Whisky distilleries, the Glasgow “ghost” distillery of Port Dundas.

This renowned distillery, nestled on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal, shipped its distinct Scotch from Glasgow to ports across the world for nearly 200 years. The whisky blending powerhouse eventually grew to become a known for its distinctive sweet and delicate Grain character before it closed in 2010.

The Johnnie Walker team of expert whisky makers, led by Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr Emma Walker, handpicked the most distinctive expressions of maturing whisky from Port Dundas for this new limited edition.

It is the first Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare release from Emma, who has worked in the Johnnie Walker team for more than a decade and who took on the prestigious role of Johnnie Walker Master Blender at the beginning of 2022.

Emma says: “Port Dundas was, in its day, one of the finest Grain Whisky distilleries in the world and the rare expressions that we have chosen from our reserves are some of the most distinctive it has ever produced - their slow maturation allowing their sweet and delicate Grain character to blossom.

“Its incredible character inspired us to create something truly extraordinary that pays proper tribute to the whisky makers of this storied Glasgow distillery.”

The Johnnie Walker Ghost and Rare series of special editions is crafted using irreplaceable ‘ghost’ whiskies and other incredibly rare expressions from the unparalleled Johnnie Walker reserves used to create the award-winning Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

To complement the fragrant wood spice character of Port Dundas, Emma and her team hand-selected two other ‘ghost’ whiskies from the distilleries of Cambus and Brora3 before combining these with other very rare Scotch from five iconic distilleries - crafting something truly exceptional.

Creamy, wood notes from Port Dundas embrace the vanilla and soft smoke from the “ghost” whiskies of Cambus and original stocks of Brora. Other very rare whiskies from Cameronbridge and Glenkinchie reveal notes of spiced apples alongside Clynelish, Dailuaine and Auchroisk, bringing aromas of peaches and berries.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas follows the release of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Pittyvaich (2021), Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal (2019), Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen (2018) and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Brora (2017). Each edition in the series offers a fleeting opportunity to savour the depth of character of whiskies from distilleries whose spirit lives on in their dwindling stocks. 
2025-02-10
Hennessy

HENNESSY UNLEASH CHINESE NEW YEAR 2025 LIMITED EDITION WITH FASHION DESIGNER SHUTING QIU

THIS CAPTIVATING COLLECTION EMBODIES THE RICH HERITAGE AND TIMELESS ELEGANCE
OF CHINESE BROCADE, BLENDING TRADITION WITH INNOVATION, AND CELEBRATING
ARTISTRY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

(Hong Kong, 3 December, 2024) - Maison Hennessy unleashes a new collaboration for
2025 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Snake, with a vibrant limited-edition
collection by Chinese fashion designer Shuting Qiu.

 

In a fusion of fashion and luxury, the collection, called ‘Reimagination’, is in honor of
the snake, which is about renewal and positive transformation, leaving behind the
past and embracing new beginnings.

 

Vibrant, abstract interpretations of a snake writhe across the carafe designs, using
splashes of colour and prints, such as ancient Chinese brocade patterns, to reflect the
texture and scales of the snake body.

 

Shuting Qiu, who is originally from Hangzhou and now based in Shanghai has drawn
inspiration from her cultural heritage. Looking to the jacquard fabric, Chinese
brocade and embroidery prints traditionally used in clothing and textiles in her
hometown, Qiu has reimagined the symbolic floral motifs and abstract snake scale
patterns to adorn Hennessy's iconic V.S.O.P, X.O and Paradis cognac carafes. With
base colours of red, each bottle tells a unique story, and as a nod to Hennessy’s
heritage, the snake’s movements through the patterns evokes the Charente River in
Cognac.

 

Taking inspiration from the different blends, Qiu has created three distinct works of art
to dress each of the Hennessy bottles:

CNY25 VSOP 1

 

 

 

The V.S.O.P edition is, as described by Qiu, ‘youthful
and energetic’, covered in red vibrant floral motifs,
alongside a combination of plaid and abstract snake
scale silhouettes, symbolising renewal and legacy. A
blend of four distinct Shuting Qiu-designed patterns
featuring traditional motifs and an abstract representation
of the snake weaves through it. Qiu has
used embossing techniques on the gift box to create
texture, mirroring how she creates texture with sequins
and glitter in her fabric designs.

The X.O edition is bold and dynamic with rich
shades of red, gold and blue, featuring
lozenge shapes inspired by traditional
Chinese motifs and a gold cork. Shuting Qiu’s
interpretation of transformation and renewal
is reflected in the embossed snake design,
which glides across the print. Its recyclable
giftbox features an embossed blend of
patterns with an almost fabric like texture.

 

 

CNY25 XO 1

CNY25 Paradis 2

 

 

 

The exclusive limited-edition Paradis is transformed
into a vibrant red masterpiece in honor of the Year
of the Snake. The sculptural snake design is more
abstract and poetic, and embodies elegance and
luxury, by representing a prosperous pursuit towards
newness and paying tribute to the timeless
elegance of Hennessy Paradis. The bottle has a
leather collar, with a soft-to-the-touch-graphic motif
hinting at the awakening of spring, inspired by the
rebirth of a graceful snake shedding its skin.

All are perfect as either a gift during the festive season, or to enjoy whilst seeing in the
new year with friends and family – perhaps served over ice and paired with food, or
as part of celebratory New Year cocktails such as “The Snake’ (recipe in notes to
editors). The carafes even work as a centrepiece in the home.

 

Says Shuting Qiu about the collaboration: “Hennessy has given me an opportunity to
share my ideas and vision with the world, which is an incredible platform for me, as a
young Chinese designer. The Hennessy carafes are classics, and this is similar to fashion
in that every brand has its classic silhouettes, unique designs and colors. My family and
I often drink Hennessy during Chinese New Year, and my friends drink it when we hang
out - it’s a great versatile drink, but my favourite way to drink it is simply over ice”.

 

Growing up in Hangzhou, Shuting Qiu attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in
Antwerp, living in Belgium for five years before returning to China. She credits her time
there as having a big influence on work, fusing Chinese and Western elements.

 

CEO of Hennessy Laurent Boillot added; “Hennessy has a long-lasting connection with
Chinese culture, grounded in 164 years of shared history, also made of rich artistical
collaboration. And it is a great pleasure to welcome Shuting Qiu to embody the spirit
with which we usher Chinese New Year festivities. Her designs epitomize a harmonious
fusion of tradition and contemporary flair, offering with elegance a fitting homage to
our common cultural heritage.”

 

Hennessy Chinese New Year limited-edition bottles will be available at selected retail
stores in Hong Kong and Macau from December. Embrace the festive spirit and raise
a glass to a year filled with abundance and prosperity.

 

Follow the Hennessy website and social media for the latest updates.
Website: http://hk.hennessy.com/ http://hennessy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HennessyHK


 

For media enquiries, please contact the press office team:

PURPLE
  Martha ChowTel:   +852 9763 7987      Email: martha.chow@purplepr.com
  Casey HoTel:           +852 6857 2237      Email: casey.ho@purplepr.com
  Bernice ChanTel:   +852 9825 3660      Email: bernice.chan@purplepr.com
  Sonia YuTel:            +852 6778 5530      Email: sonia.yu@purplepr.com

MOËT HENNESSY DIAGEO HONG KONG & MACAU LTD
  Tracy Chan              Email: tracy.chan@mhdhk.com
  Dekki Lai                  Email: dlai@mhdhk.com


 

“The Snake” Cocktail Recipe
45 ml Hennessy V.S.O.P
20 ml Honey Syrup
30 ml Ginger juice
15ml Fresh lemon juice
2 dash ginger bitters
Garnish: Lemon twist
Method: add all ingredients to shaker tin with ice, shake to chill, strain into a rocks
glass, garnish with a lemon twist

 

ABOUT HENNESSY
Founded on Richard Hennessy's pioneering spirit and with a legacy of over 250 years,
the brand spans over 160 countries, but remains rooted in the Charente region in
France. Beyond its iconic cognacs, Hennessy embraces cultural collaborations,
evidenced through its many partnerships with visionary artists from around the world.
Over the years, Hennessy has worked with cultural icons in design, art, fashion and
music to celebrate a diverse range of creativity to reflect the multi-faceted nature of
the brand and to bring to life the Hennessy cognac’s versatility.

 

ABOUT SHUTING QIU
Shuting Qiu graduated with an MA and BA in Fashion from the Royal Academy in
Antwerp. The brand conveys a signature sense of femininity that features a “modern
romantic” woman, powerful and independent while maintaining her soft identity. The
SHUTING QIU woman dares to express herself with asymmetry and experimentation in
silhouettes, often resulting in rich contrasting colors of silk jacquards, intricate
embroideries, and juxtapositions of linear and floral prints.
Currently based in Shanghai, the Chinese-born designer constantly finds inspiration in
art, literature, cinema and travel. Shuting’s creations pay homage to the free,
romantic and neurotic spirit of heroines such as Virginia Woolf and Pina Bausch.

 

Website: https://shuting-qiu.com/
IG: @shutingqiu