"johnnie walker blue" news and stories

I've never been able to afford Johnnie Walker Blue, though I am partial to the Black variety. Russians, though, seem to have no problem affording it. The land of vodka and harsh winters is now the biggest market for the world's priciest Scotch whisky according to the Financial Times.

Vodka still accounts for more than 90 per cent of the country's spirits sales, largely because Russians are not used to the taste of whisky or gin. Despite this barrier sales of costly libations have been rising largely due to the populations increased wealth.

Last year Russia became the first European country to import the "King George V" edition of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, which can go for up to $1,000. That's quite a markup over the everyday version, which sells for a mere $180 a bottle.

Source

Over at NYC-based blog Eater, they've started a new series inviting local restaurant and bar owners to write a column. This week, William Tigertt from Freemans walks readers through the math that determines the markup on an order of Johnnie Walker Blue, a premium whiskey. According to his calculations, a place like the SoHo Grand is marking up that drink by 441%!! Tigertt creates the JWBI, the Johnnie Walker Blue Index, and determines that the average markup is 275% around the downtown hotels.

Wow. You're better off laying down a good 200 dollars for the whole bottle yourself.