New Couture Expression blends fuse rare whiskies and high fashion inspiration across four seasonal releases
Johnnie Walker has announced its first collaboration under the newly launched Johnnie Walker Vault platform, naming French couture designer Olivier Rousteing as its inaugural cultural partner. The partnership debuts with the limited-edition Couture Expression collection, a series of four bespoke Scotch whisky blends crafted with Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker.
Developed over the course of a year, Couture Expression draws inspiration from the world of high fashion, presenting a seasonal interpretation of blending artistry. The collaboration sees Walker and Rousteing co-creating blends that reflect the emotional and sensory aspects of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
“This has been an emotional journey,” said Rousteing. “What started as a collaboration to create one special release became a creative exploration of four seasons, just like a couture collection.”
Each blend begins with a luxurious base that includes rare “ghost” whiskies from Brora and Port Dundas. Additional aged selections from Johnnie Walker’s archive—comprising 500 rare whiskies curated from over 10 million casks—were layered to develop each seasonal profile. Spring is defined by floral notes drawn from rare 1970s distillations; Summer emphasizes tropical fruit characteristics; Fall focuses on bold, textured expressions; and Winter delivers deep, smoky richness.
Dr. Emma Walker explained, “Olivier brought an emotional language to the blending creation, and we worked together to explore what whisky can express — technically, sensorially and artistically.”
In keeping with the couture theme, the blends are presented in crystal decanters handcrafted by Baccarat. Each decanter is draped in metallic shades—gold, silver, rose gold, and metallic black—symbolizing the four seasons. The design includes a sculptural winged stopper, which Rousteing describes as an evolution of the Johnnie Walker ‘Keep Walking’ ethos.
“I wanted gold wings, like a phoenix rising from the ashes to touch the sky—just how I’ve felt at certain times in my life,” Rousteing said.
Only 25 bottles of each seasonal blend will be available worldwide. The Couture Expression collection will pre-launch at Harrods beginning May 5, 2025, with general global availability starting May 26. The recommended retail price is £16,000 per bottle.
An exclusive launch event will be held in New York City on May 3, bringing together figures from the arts, fashion, and whisky communities.
Julie Bramham, Managing Director of Diageo Luxury Group, noted, “Through colliding the blending artistry of Dr Emma Walker with the creative genius of Olivier Rousteing, we are pushing the boundaries of what a luxury Scotch whisky can look, taste and feel like.”
Johnnie Walker Vault x Olivier Rousteing Couture Expression represents the first installment of a two-part collaboration, following the recent introduction of the Johnnie Walker Vault Private Blend Experience.
