On May 17, 2026 (Sunday), Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku will hold a "Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra Whisky Seminar" at Main Bar Briant on the second floor of the hotel's South Wing. The event offers a rare opportunity to taste five Johnnie Walker expressions — including the "Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra," produced in a worldwide edition of just 888 bottles — guided by a Diageo Japan brand ambassador. The second half of the evening pairs three key malt whiskies with Scottish cuisine developed by the hotel's chef.
Seminar Overview
The two-hour seminar is split into two halves. The first half features a talk and guided tasting led by Diageo Japan's Johnnie Walker Brand Ambassador, Ayato Benze Kaneko. Five expressions of the Blue Label range are on the menu, starting with the flagship Johnnie Walker Blue Label and running through to the ultra-rare Blue Label Ultra — limited to 888 bottles worldwide, with only a handful imported into Japan.
For the second half, the hotel's chef has developed a Scottish-themed pairing menu: a starter of smoked salmon and scallop salad, fish and chips as the main, and a dessert of Cranachan prepared in Keio Plaza Hotel's own style. Each course is paired with one of three Johnnie Walker Blue Label key malt whiskies to highlight how the food brings out different dimensions in the spirit.
A limited-edition keep-bottle will also be available for pre-order on the day, featuring a Keio Plaza Hotel 55th anniversary engraving on a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
The Five Whiskies on the Tasting Menu
1. Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Positioned as Johnnie Walker's flagship expression, this blend draws only from casks said to have reached the absolute peak of maturation — reportedly one in every ten thousand barrels qualifies. The result is a rich, powerful, and subtly smoky whisky.
2. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra
Just 888 bottles were produced for worldwide distribution, with only a small number reaching Japan. Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker assembled casks from distilleries including Oban, Brora, and Royal Lochnagar, combined with a selection of "ghost whiskies" from distilleries that have since closed — making this a genuinely one-of-a-kind expression.
3. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet
A collaboration with luxury skiwear brand Perfect Moment, this expression offers hints of apple, clove, and cinnamon alongside a smoky note reminiscent of a ski lodge fireplace — a beautifully balanced Scotch whisky.
4. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Umami
Inspired by the concept of "umami" — one of the hardest flavors to define even in culinary circles — this limited expression was created through a collaboration between Master Blender Emma Walker and internationally renowned Japanese chef Kei Kobayashi. Casks with a distinctive umami quality were handpicked for the blend.
5. John Walker & Sons King George V
Produced to mark the Royal Warrant granted to John Walker & Sons by King George V, this expression uses only whisky from distilleries that were in operation during George V's reign. It balances intensity with delicacy in an exceptionally complex profile.
Brand Ambassador: Ayato Benze Kaneko
Born in San Francisco in 1980, Kaneko grew up in Japan and Hungary before returning to the United States. After graduating from university, he served as general manager across two American restaurants before transitioning into the world of whisky. Since 2014, he has been the Johnnie Walker Brand Ambassador for Diageo Japan, visiting Scotland each year to deepen his understanding of the blending process at Diageo's distilleries — the most extensive portfolio of distilleries in the world. He holds events and seminars across Japan to communicate the stories behind Johnnie Walker and the wider Diageo malt range.
Venue: Main Bar Briant
Main Bar Briant has been a fixture of Keio Plaza Hotel since it opened, and has long been regarded as a quintessential hotel bar for adult guests. The space was designed by industrial designer Riki Watanabe — considered one of the founders of Japanese modernism — and is defined by walls built entirely of stacked red brick. The traditional unfired bricks are said to have been brought from Scotland, the home of whisky, and are affectionately described as "smiling bricks."
Bar Manager Takafumi Kowashi joined Keio Plaza Hotel in April 2004, working in banquet service and the Sky Lounge Aurora before winning first place in the Island category of the 5th HBA Tokyo Creative Cocktail Competition in 2009. After a secondment to Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo in 2017, he has served as Bar Briant's manager since 2022.
Event Details
| Date | Sunday, May 17, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Doors open at 4:30 PM) |
| Venue | Keio Plaza Hotel, South Wing 2F / Main Bar Briant (2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) |
| Access | 5-minute walk from the West Exit of Shinjuku Station (JR, private railways, subway lines); straight from Exit B1 of Tochomae Station (Toei Oedo Line) |
| Price | ¥23,000 per person (service charge and tax included) |
| Capacity | 30 guests (first-come, first-served) |
| Instructor | Diageo Japan Johnnie Walker Brand Ambassador, Ayato Benze Kaneko |
| Program | First half: Seminar and tasting / Second half: Food pairing |
Menu
- [Starter] Smoked salmon and smoked scallop, colorful salad
- [Main] Fish & chips
- [Dessert] Cranachan, Keio Plaza Hotel style
Drinks
- Welcome drink: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Highball
- 5 expressions for tasting
- 3 key malt whiskies for pairing
Limited Keep-Bottle Sales
- Keio Plaza Hotel 55th anniversary engraved Johnnie Walker Blue Label: ¥70,000 (tax included)
Reservations open on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Bookings can be made online via the official event page. For enquiries, call (03) 5322-8151 (Restaurant Reservations, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM).
Participation is limited to guests aged 20 and over. All prices include service charge and tax. General discounts do not apply. Menu items and tableware are subject to change depending on the season and availability of ingredients.
