Black Label Anniversary Edition to honour 100 years of the Striding Man

Making its world debut in Asia Pacific, the Black Label Limited Anniversary Edition is delivered in a sleek high gloss black bottle and is embellished with a gold Striding Man to celebrate its century as an indelible icon of progress and quality.

Aude Parichot, Marketing Manager Johnnie Walker, Diageo Australia, said: Since its creation in 1908, the Striding Man figure has become an instantly recognisable mark of exceptional quality, authenticity and progress. The Black Label Limited Anniversary Edition is a celebration of the pioneering spirit and uncompromising values embraced by the brand over the past 100 years. It is the perfect gift and keepsake for any whisky connoisseur.

Great strides ahead

Originally sketched in 1908 by renowned comical satirist and royal illustrator Tom Browne on the back of a lunch menu, the striding top-hatted figure has since personified the Johnnie Walker brand and become one of the last centurys most recognisable icons. The Striding Man has marched on through the era, under the helm of several artists, to be portrayed as an adventurous and cosmopolitan gentleman. In 1999, in conjunction with the launch of the Keep Walking campaign, the Striding Man was switched to face left instead of right to epitomise the forward-looking spirit of Johnnie Walker.

The Striding Man has changed with the times over the past century but the original spirit of progress and sophistication remain as the figure surges forward to take on the next hundred years.

The Johnnie Walker Black Label Limited Anniversary Edition bottle will be available in selected retailers from October 2008 and will retail from $65 for a 750ml bottle.

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