Johnnie Walker releases ‘Blade Runner’ whisky in HK

Johnnie Walker has rolled out a limited-edition movie-themed whisky inspired by upcoming sci-fi blockbuster Blade Runner 2049, starring Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, ahead of the movie’s official global premiere next month.

The Johnnie Walker Black Label The Director’s Cut is a Scotch whisky developed in collaboration with the movie’s director Denis Villeneuve and Johnnie Walker’s Master Blender Jim Beveridge, roughly 35 years after the Johnnie Walker Black Label first appeared in the original Blade Runner 35 years ago.

“Like many fans, I remember the Johnnie Walker bottle from the first film, so it was a unique privilege to collaborate with Johnnie Walker on designing a totally original bottle for the new movie,” said Villeneuve, who has directed movies such as Sicario and Arrival.

“It was also a once-in-a-lifetime experience to help create the limited edition Black Label The Director’s Cut blend, which perfectly captures the complex and mysterious world of Blade Runner 2049.”

Beveridge added: “I was truly inspired by Villeneuve’s artistic vision for Blade Runner 2049 and how it could come to life in this new blend. I learned that filmmaking is much like blending – you have to constantly be committed to creating the best possible outcome.”

The whisky house has also created a series of cocktail videos featuring Blade Runner 2049-inspired cocktails – The Deckard, Ode to Dreams, Penicillin 2049, Quest and Ahara.

Only 39,000 bottles have been produced, with the whisky available in Hong Kong at SOGO with an SRP of HK$928.