Where to go now: JOHNNIE WALKER PRINCES STREET

As temperatures drop and the nights draw in, thoughts are turning to festive celebrations and getaways. Edinburgh has everything to offer for the perfect winter break, renowned for its Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations, and for those venturing to Scotland’s capital this festive season, there’s no better place to start than Johnnie Walker Princes Street.

Situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End – close to the city’s key attractions and shops – Johnnie Walker Princes Street is a state-of-the-art destination set over eight floors, offering something for everyone: from whisky aficionados to those sampling their very first dram:

Tours & experiences

Enjoy the immersive 90-minute Journey of Flavour tour (£28), where personal flavour preferences are mapped with drinks tailored to each individual’s palate. Or consider some of the wider whisky experiences such as the Whisky Maker’s Cellar or the Johnnie Walker History Adventure.

Food & drink
Visit the 1820 bar, offering everything from crafted cocktails with a festive twist to your favourite dram matched with locally-sourced dishes – best enjoyed with epic views of Edinburgh Castle and the city’s busiest street. Or, explore over 150 special bottles and one of a kind cask editions in the Explorers’ Bothy Bar – perfect for those looking to expand their palette and try new flavours.

Christmas shopping
As the largest Johnnie Walker retail store in the world, Johnnie Walker Princes Street stocks an unrivalled collection of both blended and single malt whiskies to suit all taste and budgets, as well as all the glassware and kit required to create the perfect serve at home. The ultimate destination to shop for dram lovers, the selection varies from personalised engraved bottles, to gift sets and exclusive blends.

New Year
Those visiting for Hogmanay can also book in to celebrate the New Year in style featuring a DJ set from Turn the Tables, a celebratory gourmet spread and of course, festive cocktails, highballs and drams. For an extra special touch, the menu includes cocktail ‘wines’ inspired by grape varieties that are favourites amongst the 1820 bar staff.

“Christmas and Hogmanay are special times of year in Edinburgh, and we have a unique offering at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. With unrivalled views of the festivities, a bespoke winter drinks menu and a host of experiences and Christmas shopping options, there’s no better spot to kick off a festive getaway.”

Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Scotland Brand Homes at Diageo

For the ultimate three-day festive itinerary, consider the following highlights in and around Edinburgh:

Day One

Kick off with a wintry stroll around town, taking in the festive illuminations on George Street
Visit Johnnie Walker Princes Street in the afternoon for the Journey of Flavour tour, followed by a Johnnie Walker highball at the 1820 bar
Enjoy dinner in Edinburgh’s Old Town, followed by a dram in one of the infamous Grassmarket pubs

Day Two

Venture out of the capital and visit Glenkinchie Distillery, the Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker. The short trip out of Edinburgh is worth it. to enjoy a tour of the beautifully reimagined Victorian warehouse and a tasting of its floral Lowland malt. This year, Glenkinchie will also be offering festive wreath-making classes for a souvenir to take home.
When night falls, soak up a winter-wonderland at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Discover a mile-long outdoor twilight trail, complete with sparkling tunnels of light, immersive installations and larger-than-life illuminations
Dine at Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s Explorers’ Bothy Bar, where small plates such as beef tartare and salt baked celeriac are served up alongside cheese and charcuterie platters. Explore the world of Scotch whisky via the impressive and extensive cocktail menu

Day Three

Indulge in festive retail therapy with a walk along the boutiques of George Street and Multrees Walk, before exploring the Johnnie Walker pop-up bar serving whisky, hot toddies and more (November 14^th– December 24^th) down at St James Quarter shopping mall.
Wrap up your trip in the heart of Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations, at the renowned Princes Street Gardens Christmas market, featuring the Forth One Big Wheel and a range of market stalls with trinkets, warming bites and mulled wine

If you can’t manage to get to Scotland, you can always bring Scotland to you with these new festive-inspired Johnnie Walker Black Label cocktails. Not only do the two cocktails embrace the flavours of the festive season, but they’ll also provide the ultimate eye-catching tipple for a drinks party; served in perfectly selected glassware and with a seasonal garnish.

Ho-ho-ho-Highball – serve in a Highball glass

The Johnnie Walker Ho-ho-ho-Highball balances the bite and depth of Johnnie Walker Black Label with the sweetness of maraschino cherries and raisin syrup. Accentuated by the acidity of lime juice and topped with sparkling water, this cocktail champions the highball serve Johnnie Walker is well-celebrated for.

Ingredients

50ml Johnnie Walker Black Label
25ml Raisin syrup*
10ml Lime Juice
120ml Sparkling Water
Garnish: Maraschino Cherries

Method

Add the Johnnie Walker Black Label, raisin syrup and lime juice to the highball glass, then stir to mix
Add ice and top with sparkling water
Garnish with maraschino cherry seeds

* To make the raisin syrup, leave raisins to soak in double the amount of water overnight. Then, run them through a food processor to the point of a thick syrup.

Winter Applause – serve in a Julep glass

Stirred up with pomegranate, lemon, honey and orange bitters – champions festive flavours and brings out Johnnie Walker Black Label’s warming notes of spice, smoke, creamy toffee, sweet fruit and vanilla.