New Johnnie Walker bottle celebrates Year of the Dog

by Owen Bellwood

Diageo Global Travel Retail has revealed the latest Chinese New Year bottle design for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, celebrating the Year of the Dog.

The limited-edition bottle is the fifth instalment from the annual Blue Label limited-edition series. This year's bottle design is inspired by the “precious bond between man and dog”, and has been created in collaboration with Taiwanese artist Page Tsou. The design follows the Striding Man around the world as he celebrates with lanterns, fireworks and dancing dragons. Man’s best friend has also been woven throughout the design, again to honour of the Year of the Dog. Tsou said: “It is an honour to have been commissioned to create the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Dog bottle. The precious design consists of a total of four dogs all chosen for their special meaning in Asia. He continued: “This unique design tells the story of Johnnie Walker’s Striding Man and a loyal companion as they journey around the world bringing prosperity and rejoicing in the arrival of the New Year. "The design also contains various symbols of wealth and prosperity making this bottle extremely unique and the perfect gift to give this Chinese New Year.” Dayalan Nayager, managing director, Diageo Global Travel Retail, said: “During this festive period it’s wonderful to be able to provide whisky consumers with a gift that is luxurious and unique from such an iconic whisky brand. "The exquisite design of the Chinese New Year bottle will help to engage new consumers and reward existing ones with a limited-edition collectable from Johnnie Walker Blue Label to mark this special time of year.” The blended Scotch brand has previously teamed up with street artist Tristan Eaton to launch a series of collectible gift packs. The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Dog Limited Edition bottle is available now in selected travel retail outlets globally, retailing at £175 (US$235) for a one-litre bottle.