Welcome to the world of Johnnie Walker!

The palate was awakened to the world of flavours of Johnnie Walker whisky last Friday at The House along Constant Spring Road, St Andrew, as Johnnie Walker Ambassador Arturo Savage hosted the first of his Taste More Experience in Jamaica.

Savage, a Venezuelan trained in the culinary arts, unlocked the rich complexities in Johnnie Walker whisky, revealing the bounty of flavours in Black Label.

Savage's visit to Jamaica is two-fold. He is here to conduct the Johnnie Walker Taste More Experience at the island's top bar and lounges, as well for the Johnnie Walker World Class, which demonstrates the ideal way to enjoy the luxurious brand's Blue Label. Savage will also attend the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, where he will host these unique tasting sessions for consumers.

Branded as a bespoke blend experience, Savage captured the imagination of participants and piqued their interests as he delved into the rich history of Johnnie Walker. Dressed in a kilt in honour of the brand's Scottish heritage, Savage employed the '3 Serve' methodology.

First was 'The Ice Serve' - Johnnie Walker on the rocks which highlighted the fresh and crisp notes. 'The Neat Serve' followed, as participants were asked to hold a shot of ice cold water in their mouths briefly before tasting a neat serve and holding this in their mouths for 20 seconds. This process allowed them to pick out the rich fruit/caramel flavours in the whisky.

Smoky flavours

'The Water Serve' was the third taste. By adding one-third water to the serving of Johnnie Walker, it accentuated the deep and smoky flavours within the whisky.

At the end of the session, Savage revealed that though all three samples had different flavours and textures, they were in fact all Johnnie Walker Black Label.

"That's what makes Johnnie Walker Black Label the number one deluxe blended Scotch whisky in the world," said Savage. "It is very complex and has a wide array of flavours and textures to it. Depending on your palate, there is a smoky, woody flavour or a real fruity aroma and flavour, almost like a freshly cut apple."

After revealing the many flavours of Johnnie Walker Black Label, Savage demonstrated the perfect serve for the luxury brand in the line of Johnnie Walker - Blue Label - as part of the World Class Taste Experience.

"This represents luxury in the art of blending at Johnnie Walker. On average, only one in every 10,000 casks has the character that is suitable for the Blue Label Blend," Savage explained.

As Savage expertly guided the participants through the tasting of Blue Label, he encouraged everyone to cleanse their palate by sipping ice-cold water. That was followed by taking a sip of whisky and rolling it in the mouth before swallowing to reveal the full taste experience.

"You notice the intense, powerful flavours that build and evolve with an incredible, smooth long finish. It has unrivalled flavour, aroma and incredible smoothness," Savage said of the Blue Label taste experience.

Johnnie Walker brand manager Safia Cooper said as part of its sponsorship of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, local distributor Red Stripe would be bringing 'liquid to lips' for Jazz patrons to enjoy the finest of Scotch whisky.

"As a platinum sponsor of the festival, we'll be providing a luxurious taste experience for our consumers," said Cooper. "As we saw today, Arturo is a whisky connoisseur who can convey the credentials of Johnnie Walker better than anyone.

"We'll also have roving ambassadors at jazz offering premium bottle service to patrons who have found that comfortable spot and do not wish to leave."