Singapore – Johnnie Walker has launched its first NFT collection created in collaboration with Virtue APAC’s Singapore hub, as part of a multi-experience campaign developed by Virtue APAC, the creative agency from VICE media.
All seven bottles from its rare Master of Flavour series valued at US $35,000 each, were sold in Ethereum cryptocurrency within three minutes, appealing to modern luxury consumers and crypto enthusiasts.
Johnnie Walker and creative agency Virtue powered by VICE worked in partnership with BlockBar.com, a direct to consumer NFT marketplace for luxury wines and spirits, to offer buyers the chance to own seven extremely rare, vaulted bottles of Blended Scotch Whisky paired with seven one-of-a-kind works of art.
Virtue managed overall strategic and creative conceptualisation for the Masters of Flavour campaign from its Singapore hub as well as developing a launch film and social assets.
Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour is the third and final whisky in the Johnnie Walker Masters series of extremely rare Scotch, crafted from fleetingly rare whiskies, which are all aged for at least 48 years from four closed distilleries: Port Dundas, Brora, Glen Albyn and Glenury Royal.
Each of the seven bottles unlock access to a coinciding and exclusive piece of digital artwork from Australian contemporary artist Kode Abdo, aka BossLogic. Known for his fancasts, he recently teamed up with footballer Lionel Messi to create a new series of artistic NFTs featuring the global sports icon.
Extending the digital experience into the physical world, buyers can choose to keep the NFTs and redeem their purchase for an exclusive three-day trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. Immersing themselves in the history of Johnnie Walker, the exclusive money-can’t-buy experience includes a guided tour of the lowlands home of Johnnie Walker, including the Diageo archive and private tastings of rare collectable whiskies from the Diageo collection.
Chris Gurney, group creative director at Virtue APAC, said, “Johnnie Walker Masters Of Flavour is the ultimate expression of mastery, so our approach was to bring the 48-year-old whiskey making and packaging process to life through the craft and materials of the world’s leading artisans.”
According to Gurney, they have worked together with Bosslogic to reflect the creative narrative in his NFT artwork and to enhance the overall film direction. They also brought in acclaimed sound designer Maurizio Argentieri, best known for working on international music film scores including The Island, Zoolander 2 and Bread and Tulips.
Meanwhile, Lyndon Govender, marketing director, Southeast Asia, Diageo, commented in the collaboration, “At Johnnie Walker we are continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity. This drop symbolises the future of luxury whisky ownership and consumer experience and we are proud to have worked closely with the team at Virtue to navigate this new world and create a campaign we are truly proud of.”
