World-Famous Scotch Whisky Blender Becomes a Member of the Explorers Club

NEW YORK, October 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Dr. Jim Beveridge, an analytical chemist and world-famous Scotch whisky blender, has today been announced as a new member of The Explorers Club.

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Dr. Beveridge has been recognised for his unique accomplishments in the field of scientific research in analytical chemistry on a worldwide scale. His contributions have led to the advancement of our understanding of the impact of nano-quantities of organics upon taste.  

He joins with other members of the renowned club who have conducted groundbreaking research in a wide variety of disciplines, leaders who have travelled far afield, returning to bring new knowledge of many unique interests to the world.

Membership of The Explorers Club places Dr. Beveridge among the most famous and recognised explorers and research scientists of our time. The Club's members include those who were first to the Moon, first to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mt. Everest and first to the deepest points of the Ocean.

His membership was announced as Johnnie Walker^®, the number one Scotch whisky in the world^[1], launched a new campaign entitled Joy Will Take You Further, celebrating the fact that happiness actually helps people achieve success.

Dr. Beveridge, the Master Blender for Johnnie Walker, said, while visiting The Explorers Club: "It's a privilege to be accepted as a member of this amazing club. For almost two centuries the blenders of Johnnie Walker have been restless people who have never liked to stand still. They have always been on the move - taking their whiskies to every corner of the world and learning lessons from every country they visited.  

"Importantly, I know that each and every one of us who has been fortunate enough to work on this great whisky has truly loved the steps we've taken. I'm following in some big footsteps and I'm privileged to genuinely be standing on the shoulders of giants as a blender and, now, with fellow explorers."

During his trip to New York, Dr. Beveridge hosted tours of a spectacular pop-up immersive 'Blenders' Rooms' experience in the historic The Explorers Club headquarters for guests.

The 'Blenders' Rooms' pop-up captured the spirit of Dr. Beveridge's day-to-day working environment in Scotland and is the first of its kind to be presented outside of the United Kingdom. It featured installations that helped him bring to life and tell the story of the unrivalled 8 million casks of whisky that he works with; the science behind the distinctive flavour profiles of Johnnie Walker; and the innovation which continues to drive the brand forward.

Among the guests at the event were Will Roseman, Executive Director and Ted Janulis, President of The Explorers Club, and Brian Cox, Director, Scotch whisky North America at Diageo.

Mr Roseman said: "The Explorers Club is pleased to welcome Johnnie Walker to its worldwide headquarters and to have among its newest members, Dr. Jim Beveridge, recognised for his extraordinary accomplishments as a renowned analytical chemist."

Cox said: "As we launch our new Joy Will Take You Further campaign, it is incredibly fitting that we are able to hold this event here in The Explorers Club. For over a century, members of The Explorers Club have lived out the conviction that lies at the very heart of our campaign, they have been people who have enjoyed the journey as much as the destination."

#JoyWillTakeYouFurther

Notes to Editors

1. International Wine and Spirit Record (IWSR) Value and volume data 2014

B-roll footage of Dr. Jim Beveridge at The Explorers Club in New York can be downloaded here

About Diageo 

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, http://www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Enjoy Johnnie Walker responsibly.

The JOHNNIE WALKER, KEEP WALKING, BLENDERS' ROOMS, JOYNOMICS and JOY WILL TAKE YOU FURTHER words, the Striding Figure device and associated logos are trademarks © John Walker & Sons 2015. 

About The Explorers Club 

The Explorers Club was founded in New York City 1904 by a group of the world's leading explorers of the time. It is a multidisciplinary, not for profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. The Club's members have been responsible for an illustrious series of famous firsts: First to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, and first to the surface of the moon. With 3,000 members worldwide, the organization is headquartered at 46 East 70th Street, New York, N.Y. 10021. For more information about The Explorers Club, its history, and its mission, find out more at: http://www.explorers.org

Under a licensing agreement between Diageo and The Explorers Club, each purchase from the Johnnie Walker® Explorers' Club Collection^[TM] - a series of blended whiskies sold exclusively in global duty free outlets - helps to support the work of The Explorers Club.

THE EXPLORERS CLUB, THE EXPLORERS CLUB FLAG and associated logos are trade marks of The Explorers Club, a global non-profit organisation headquartered in New York City.