Oct 20, 2021 – Johnnie Walker announced today that Dr. Emma Walker will take over as their Master Blender. She will be taking the place of Dr. Jim Beveridge OBE, Master Blender for 20 years. Beveridge spent 40 years working for Diageo and will be retiring at the end of the year.
Dr. Walker is the first female to hold the role of Master Blender in Johnnie Walker’s 200 year existence. She has worked for Diageo for 13 years as a blender and her creations include Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series and Jane Walker by Johnnie Waker.
On the appointment of her new role, Dr. Walker says: I am honoured to take on the title of Master Blender of Johnnie Walker, and at an exciting time for the brand as we embark on the next step of our journey looking ahead to the next 200 years. I love experimenting and innovating with flavour and we’ll be working hard to not only continue to deliver the unrivalled quality that we are renowned for but also introducing blends to appeal to a new generation of Scotch Whisky fans. I have learnt so much over my career working with Jim – whose knowledge and generosity of spirit is unsurpassed in the world of whisky.”
Dr Jim Beveridge OBE says: “It is with pleasure and confidence that I pass on this privilege to Emma. I know she will do a wonderful job as she possesses the knowledge, expertise, and dedication to make an amazing Master Blender. On a personal level I am delighted for her, and I know that her wonderfully infectious personality, that made working with her so enjoyable, will bring something exciting and different to the team and, indeed, to the wider Scotch industry.”
Julie Bramham, Global Brand Director for Johnnie Walker, comments: “It is through Jim’s tireless work, incredible expertise and dedication to quality that the iconic flavours of the Johnnie Walker portfolio are so popular today and we thank him for his outstanding contribution over the last four decades. Emma takes over at an exciting time, Scotch is being enjoyed in so many different ways by people from all over the world and I know that Emma and her team will continue to develop the exceptional tastes, textures and flavours that we are renowned for.”
Read the full press release here.
