First glimpse into the multi-million pound Johnnie Walker Princes Street development revealed

Johnnie Walker Princes Street has revealed a first glimpse of the stunning new whisky visitor experience that will open in Edinburgh in the summer of 2021.
The space features a signature centrepiece sculpture and original artwork from Scottish landscape artist, Scott Naismith.The space features a signature centrepiece sculpture and original artwork from Scottish landscape artist, Scott Naismith.
The space features a signature centrepiece sculpture and original artwork from Scottish landscape artist, Scott Naismith.

The attraction, which spans eight storeys, will feature rooftop bars, private dining areas, modern sensory tasting rooms, personalised tour and tasting experiences, and live performance areas.

The interior of the landmark building, which has been undergoing transformation over the past 18 months, has been kept a closely-guarded secret until today, with the release of select design renderings that give a taste of what is to come.

The new visitor will include two rooftop bars.

The 1820 bar will feature a terrace to sit out and enjoy carefully crafted whisky cocktails onThe 1820 bar will feature a terrace to sit out and enjoy carefully crafted whisky cocktails on
The 1820 bar will feature a terrace to sit out and enjoy carefully crafted whisky cocktails on
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These are the 1820 bar, which is set to become a world-class cocktail bar and outdoor terrace with breath-taking views of the Edinburgh skyline, and the Explorers’ Bothy, which will stock over 150 rare bottles and one-of-a-kind cask editions.

The space features a signature centrepiece sculpture and original artwork from Scottish landscape artist Scott Naismith.

A first glimpse has also been given into a flexible performance space that will host a variety of live events and performances named the Johnnie Walker Label Studio and is expected to become a fixture in Edinburgh’s thriving cultural life.

Barbara Smith, managing director of Diageo’s brand homes across Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer people a first small taste of what is to come at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.

The 1820 bar is the first of the two rooftop bars with breathtaking views of the Edinburgh skylineThe 1820 bar is the first of the two rooftop bars with breathtaking views of the Edinburgh skyline
The 1820 bar is the first of the two rooftop bars with breathtaking views of the Edinburgh skyline
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“As well as building a whisky visitor experience like no other, we are also creating incredible hospitality and events spaces that will become a landmark destination for people from Edinburgh, Scotland and visitors from around the world.”

Still to be revealed in the future are spaces for the participatory whisky tours and tastings that will immerse guests in the flavours of Johnnie Walker and Scotch Whisky.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street is designed in collaboration with world-renowned experience and production agency BRC Imagination Arts, responsible for planning and designing some of the world’s most famous visitor attractions, including the Guinness Storehouse, NASA Kennedy Space Centre, Museum of Liverpool and Jameson Distillery Bow Street.

It will tell the 200-year story of the world’s best selling scotch and the history of whisky and Scotland, through a multisensory and immersive visitor experience.

It is expected become a fixture in Edinburgh’s thriving cultural life.It is expected become a fixture in Edinburgh’s thriving cultural life.
It is expected become a fixture in Edinburgh’s thriving cultural life.
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Ms Smith said: “We hope people will enjoy this glimpse into Johnnie Walker Princes Street and be excited to see the incredible interiors for themselves when we open our doors in summer 2021. In the meantime, we’ll be sharing more exclusive news and updates as part of e-newsletter, which people can sign up to on our website, as we gear up for the grand opening.”

The Johnnie Walker Princes Street visitor attraction is part of leading drinks company Diageo’s £185 million investment into the transformation of its Scotch whisky tourism.

The investment has already seen the revamp of Glenkinchie Distillery, the Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker, and will see further investment into the remainder of Diageo’s 11 Scotch whisky brand homes as well as the revival of lost distilleries Port Ellen and Brora.

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The visitor attraction will also have modern and enticing tasting roomsThe visitor attraction will also have modern and enticing tasting rooms
The visitor attraction will also have modern and enticing tasting rooms

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