Keeper of the QUAICH

In a special lead-up event to the fifth staging of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival

(JFDF), guests were taken on a ‘journey’ to Scotland. Guided by Johnnie Walker Reserve Brand Ambassador Arturo Savage, guests experienced the bold aromas and nuanced notes of three Johnnie Walker whiskies — Black, Gold Label Reserve, and 18-year-old.

The tasting event also served as a preview of what the brand, which will celebrate its bicentennial next year, will be treating attendees to at this year’s festival. Johnnie Walker will have a pronounced presence at the JFDF Chopstix event on Wednesday, October 30.

The Journey to Scotland, hosted at the recently opened Phoenix Avenue restaurant, The Porch, began with guests enjoying Johnnie Walker both unadulterated and in cocktails. Savage, who lives in the Dominican Republic, is a respected whisky connoisseur. Fun fact: he is one of only 2,000 people worldwide to hold the Scotch whisky industry’s highest award — the Keeper of the Quaich. He led guests through a delightful tasting of the trio of exceptional worldrenowned Scotch whiskies.

Johnnie Walker Black is characterised by notes of charred wood, vanilla, and fresh herbs. The Gold Label Reserve is amber in colour and offers hints of oak and caramel on the nose. The 18-yearold smells like Christmas with notes of stewed fruit, vanilla, almonds and tangerines. After the short and informative session, guests had the opportunity to pair small bites from The Porch kitchen with the whiskies. It is interesting to note that each menu item served at the tasting used whisky among the ingredients.

In Gaelic, whisky means “water of life”. Scotland’s whisky industry is as integral to the culture as it is to the GDP. Like the winds that blow across the Scottish Highlands, stirring the spirits of its people, whisky breathes life into the country. So, it was apt that Savage ended his presentation with a Gaelic toast — Slàinte Mhath (pronounced slanj-a-va) — which in English translates to “good health”.

(Photos: Garfield Robinson) The trio of exceptional world-renowned Johnnie Walker Scotch whiskies experienced by guests at the private Jamaica Food and Drink Festival Journey to Scotland tasting event held at The Porch (from left) Black, Gold Label Reserve, and 18-year-old.

Whisky-infused bites from The Porch complemented the Journey to Scotland tasting. Clockwise from bottom: oxtail flats, pressed green plantains with smoked marlin, pork lovers’ flats, mushroom and lychee slider, potato wedges layered with mushrooms and ackee, and crab cakes.

Flanking Johnnie Walker Reserve Brand Ambassador Arturo Savage, with whisky (both neat and in cocktails) in hand were members of the JFDF organising team (from left) Festival Manager Nasma Chin, Festival Director Alicia Bogues, Project Specialist Brittany Ho, and Project Manager Nicole Pandohie.

Johnnie Walker Reserve Brand Ambassador Arturo Savage had Journey to Scotland guests engage in fun experiments with the product to enhance the tasting experience.

Bartender Brian Broderick ensured that Johnnie Walker welcome cocktails were always at the ready.

ttech Limited CEO Christopher Reckord examined the amber colour and legs of the Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve while Ellisse Campbell, head of marketing National Baking Company Ltd, looked on.

Johnnie Walker Reserve Brand Ambassador Arturo Savage, who led the tasting, is one of only 2,000 people worldwide to hold the Scotch whisky industry’s highest award — the Keeper of the Quaich.

Entertainment lawyer and coprincipal of Janga’s Soundbar Ron Young found the stewed fruit, vanilla, almond and tangerine notes of the Johnnie Walker 18-year-old alluring.