Diamond Jubilee by John Walker & Sons: A Regal Treat

MANILA, Philippines – Diageo Philippines unveiled the Diamond Jubilee by John Walker and Sons, a testament of craftsmanship to honor the 60th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, in an exclusive and prestigious event dubbed as Manila’s Royal Affair at the Ayala Museum.

John Walker and Sons aims to raise fund for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) through the worldwide sale of 60 Diamond Jubilee editions at £100,000 each. Each Diamond Jubilee edition represents a year in Her Majesty’s 60-year reign.

Manila is among the selected locations where the Diamond Jubilee edition will be exhibited. Present at the Manila event was Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador Jonathan Driver, who revealed the blueprint and craftsmanship of the exquisite blended Scotch whisky.

The blend is crafted from rare malt and grain Scotch Whiskies distilled in and maturing since 1952, the year the Queen acceded to the throne.

 “Master Blender Jim Beveridge and his apprentice Matthew Crow explored vast stocks of Scotch whisky to seek out some of the most exceptional casks of whiskies distilled in 1952 to craft the exquisite liquid,” Driver narrated. 

“Jim Beveridge drew on expertise gained over more than 30 years and inspiration from the Walker family blending notes to create this peerless blend with a unique sense of provenance,” he added.

John Walker and Sons kicked off the night with the exhibition of the Diamond Jubilee - a diamond shaped Baccarat crystal decanter, standing on a crystal base with six radial legs to reflect the decades of the Queen’s reign. Leading Scottish silversmiths Hamilton & Inches has fashioned the collars set with a half-carat diamond, the Royal Arms, John Walker & Sons monogram, and individually numbered seals.

The edition included a pair of lead Cumbria Crystal glasses engraved by Philip Lawson Johnston and a commemorative artefact book, hand bound by Laura West at her Isle of Skye bindery. All the elements were housed in a chest made by the cabinet makers at N.E.J. Stevenson, incorporating oak from Sandringham to echo the whisky marrying casks and Caledonian pine from the Queen’s Balmoral Estate.

“Diamond Jubilee by John Walker & Sons is a remarkable achievement, a work of art created by the hands of more than 60 craftsmen and women, which will continue to support the development of many more through the contribution to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Fund from sales of the 60 editions,” said Driver.

Driver also announced that Diageo has pledged a guaranteed donation of £1million to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Fund.

“We are privileged to be able to celebrate the Queen’s remarkable achievement with this fitting tribute, Diamond Jubilee by John Walker & Sons, the sales of which will help create an enduring legacy for the supreme craftsmanship that it represents,” said Diageo Philippines Managing Director Arif Esenc.