Diageo brought winter to Australia’s most iconic summer location last night for the launch of White Walker by Johnnie Walker.
The Bar at Icebergs Dining Room & Bar, overlooking Bondi Beach, was transformed into an icy wonderland for the evening. More than 100 media, VIPs and influencers including Tim Dormer, Nathan Tito, Luc Wiesman, Jeff Lack and Dion Horstmans were on hand to sip the new whiskey release.
The bar was decorated with 200kg of ice sculptures for the event, with a food degustation menu specially designed by Icebergs’ Executive Chef Monty Koludrovic, and White Walker by Johnnie Walker served straight from the freezer.
The whiskey is an official collaboration between Game of Thrones and Johnnie Walker.
In addition to whisky tastings that were held throughout the evening, hosted by National Johnnie Walker Ambassador Simon McGoram, cocktails were served including the ‘Highgarden Fizz’ cocktail created by recently-crowned World’s Best Bartender Orlando Marzo.
Marzo’s recipe featured White Walker by Johnnie Walker with Marzo’s homemade jasmine and strawberry syrup and yuzu soda, topped with flowers.
DJ Cassette spun remixes of the GoT soundtrack, while roving waiters served up the degustation whisky-paired menu, including Sydney rock oysters with fiery fermented Calabrian chili vinegar, a red wedding-style smoked red blood sausage by LPs Quality Meats, squid ink crackling evoking dragon skin, and slow cooked wild boar.
Drinks Bulletin’s pick of the nibbles was the divine salad of clam, scallop and tuna with fennel and seaweed and our favourite cocktail was the Fire + Blood – White Walker by Johnnie Walker whisky with Carpano Antica Formula Rosso Vermouth, cherry herring and orange, garnished with half an orange wheel.
White Walker by Johnnie Walker is now available at all good liquor retailers across Australia, RRP $65 for 700ml (41.7%). Best served icy cool.
