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Lunar artistry

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Johnnie Walker will release three new limited-edition designs as created by artist Shan Jiang.

28 January 2022

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Celebrating Lunar New Year, the world’s number one Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker, has released three new limited-edition designs, created by artist Shan Jiang. Originally from Shanghai, and now based in London where he works for an enviable list of clients.

Known for his colourful and intricate illustrations, Shan Jiang is heavily influenced by his Chinese roots and his homeland’s flourishing subcultures.

Featuring across three bottles: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, John Walker & Sons King George V, and John Walker & Sons XR 21-Year-Old, Jiang’s limited-edition designs celebrate ancient myth, Chinese idioms and mythical creatures.

Shan Jiang’s intricate illustration is matched by the rare whiskies and centuries of craft that creates the rich fruity flavours; perfectly balanced smoke found in every bottle of Johnnie Walker.

He says “I like to think that the thought and time that goes into my designs echo the craft of Johnnie Walker. Each brings a distinctive character, and I hope to bring that to my work.”

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Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Jiang’s artwork pays homage to the tiger as a symbol of strength and progress.

The majestic animal is depicted with golden wings, as from the famous Chinese idiom; an expression of vigour and vitality representing how we are stronger when we walk together.

John Walker & Sons King George V: The stunning design marks the beginning of a new year and is inspired by the ancient myth of the Bai Ze.

The bottle features a stunning illustration of the Bai Ze, a mythical creature that symbolises virtuousness, nobility, and protection from evil. It is also believed that the creature only appears when a wise emperor rules.

John Walker & Sons XR 21: Pays homage to the well-known Chinese idiom Master of the Pen and Sword; the key attributes of any great leader, brains combined with brawn.

With stunning images of a dragon and a horse depicted in an intricate dance representing the ying and the yang of all great leaders.

“In the last two years, we’ve triumphed over tremendous challenges. I used that thought to look to the year ahead with positivity and use Chinese mythology and the idea of progress, of always moving forward, to inspire my designs and discover ideas from my culture that resonate with Johnnie Walker,” explains Shan Jiang.

“That is why I chose the tiger with wings for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, it’s a common Chinese saying. My mother and father immediately came to mind, they have always supported me as an artist no matter how things were going, they gave me great strength to achieve – like the winged tiger ascending above the mountains to the sky.

“It gives me energy to think of this and to create something beautiful from this idea.”

The limited-edition Johnnie Walker designs are available at selected independent bottles shops, whisky specialists, Dan Murphy’s, Liquorland, Costco, Langtons, Boozebud and Amazon.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label, RRP $289; John Walker & Sons King George V, RRP $685; John Walker & Sons XR 21, RRP $225.

 

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