The Next ‘It’ Drink: The Making Of Johnnie Walker Black Ruby

A new star has emerged on the whisky scene: Johnnie Walker Black Ruby. The recently released blend from the iconic two-hundred-year-old whisky house is more than just another beverage; it’s a bold, fruit-forward explosion of flavour in a glass, crafted to bring a fresh perspective to how whisky is enjoyed.
At the cutting-edge Roseisle distillery, Scotland, the journey of Johnnie Walker Black Ruby begins. Bolstered by innovation, this release benefits from the most advanced distillation techniques.

“Black Ruby is an inspired exploration of the fruit sweetness that you see in Johnnie Walker Black Label,” Kate McGraw, Johnnie Walker’s whisky ambassador tells Hypebeast. “Its flavour profile is unapologetically bursting with notes of blackberry and raspberry, with hints of rose petal, toffee and a gentle smoke to finish.”
Speaking on how the new blend came to life and where it fits in with the wider Johnnie Walker Black Label range, McGraw explains that “each member of the Johnnie Walker family brings something unique to the table, and Black Ruby is no exception. What really sets it apart, though, is its versatility. This is whisky that was crafted to be mixed. It’s a new, fresh perspective – a delicious one at that.”

McGraw’s favourite way to enjoy Black Ruby at home is simple yet effective. “I love muddling a few fresh berries or a couple of frozen cherries with a nip of Black Ruby before topping it up with something fizzy – cherry kombucha is a favourite in my house, but soda water works great as well,” she shares. For gatherings, she recommends a whisky sour with a twist, using blackcurrant syrup instead of sugar syrup, or mixing it into an elegant Negroni-riff with Italian bitter and sweet vermouth, always garnished with a berry.
Whether you’re new to the whisky world or a seasoned drinker, Black Ruby is fit for everyone. “If you’re just starting to get into whisky, this is a fantastic cocktail dram,” McGraw notes. “If you’re like me and a seasoned whisky drinker, this is a great way to explore new flavours and ways of serving.”

The inspiration for Black Ruby came from the rich fruitiness of the brand’s most iconic blend, Johnnie Walker Black Label, Dr. Emma Walker, the first female Master Blender of Johnnie Walker, meticulously balanced this blend with iconic malt and grain whiskies, some finished in red wine and PX Oloroso sherry casks to bring the vibrancy to life.
“Dr. Emma Walker took this Master Blender role in 2022. Prior to that, she has been a key member of the Johnnie Walker blending team since 2008,” McGraw tells us. “She also holds the title of the smartest person I’ve ever met and has a great sense of humour! Her role is to continue the legacy of Johnnie Walker, while bringing about innovation and exploring new possibilities in whisky, which is exactly what she’s done with Black Ruby.”

As trends in the whisky market evolve, there is a noticeable shift towards quality over quantity – and a rebellion against the old whisky-drinker stereotypes. “People are drinking less but choosing to drink better quality,” McGraw observes. “There’s a resurgence in Scotch cocktails, which is starting to ebb into some of the best bars around the country.”

“One of the biggest misconceptions about whisky is that it’s a serious, sit-in-an-armchair-by-the-fire spirit. That’s absolutely not the case, and it’s where something like Johnnie Walker Black Ruby really shines. This is a whisky that is perfect with a couple of muddled berries and some soda – it’s fun, it’s bright, it’s bold, it’s unapologetic.”
In Black Ruby, Johnnie Walker has pushed the boundaries of traditional whisky-making, creating one of their most experimental expressions yet. By dialling down the smoke and honing in on the rich fruit undercurrent, Dr. Walker and her team have crafted a whisky that is both completely new and incredibly versatile. It’s safe to say, we know what we’re drinking tonight.

Get your hands on the new Johnnie Walker Black Ruby in all good liquor stores or find your unique cocktail expression ​​with Johnnie Walker’s Profile Flavour quiz.