Johnnie Walker Princes Street has brought an innovative culinary sensation to Edinburgh, STIR, a cocktail and cuisine concept in partnership with Two Michelin Star Chef James Close and Head of Pastry, Maria Close, owners of the well-known global experience restaurant, Raby Hunt.
During the STIR experience, guests can expect to try James and Maria’s unique menu of small-bite plates, served alongside cocktails created by Johnnie Walker Princes Street Head Bartender, Miran Chauhan, in a collaboration that aims to reimagine the idea of whisky and food pairing radically.
Committed to delivering new experiences seasonally, STIR will continue to evolve its seasonal menu, as the cocktails and small bites are ever-evolving with the limited-edition Johnnie Walker Princes Street blend of whisky that changes with the time of year.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street is a part of Diageo’s £185 million pound investment in Scotch whisky tourism, located in central Edinburgh. Offering more than 800 flavour combinations, immersive tours and scenic vistas over the Edinburgh skyline, one person could visit the place every day for more than two years and not have the same experience twice.
During the latest immersive experience STIR, visitors will experience a culinary showcase of stand-out food pairings from rich, umami intensity within the Aguachile Oyster bite, to soft, sweet indulgence within the Green Apple. What is more, STIR features three flights: The Four Corners Cocktail Flight, The Seasonal Cocktail Flight and The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cocktail Flight, which are based on how much the guests want to sample that day.
Secret Edinburgh got the chance to try STIR out, and it is even better than we thought. From the crunchy beef tartare to the quail caesar salad, the bites were perfectly balanced, each with a story of their own. The cocktails come with even more stories, with each bottle of whisky presented with facts about where it comes from. However, do keep in mind that some of the cocktails are strong, and after four each we definitely felt it. So, the experience should probably be avoided by those on a first date!
James Close, two Michelin-starred-Chef of Raby Hunt Restaurant, said: “We approached this challenge with the same energy and enthusiasm as we always do, creating a set of signature dishes that derive from a single ingredient, inspired by a global adventure. And then just like Miran does with his cocktails, we bring layers and textures together to tell a unique story through taste.”
Miran Chauhan, Head Bartender at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “We see STIR as the portal to a new world of whisky and food combinations, in the heart of Edinburgh at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. James and I have a shared obsession for flavours and techniques and together we’ve created an enticing and highly original taste experience for everyone to enjoy.”
You can book the STIR two Michelin Star experience on the Johnnie Walker Princes Street website, available Wednesday to Saturday between 5:30pm and 8:30pm.