This year, renowned whisky label Johnnie Walker has unveiled its new luxury platform: Johnnie Walker Vault. Johnnie Walker Vault is an exclusive, by-invite-only experience that allows guests to taste some of the brand’s rarest and most luxurious blends. Launched in March, the platform offers guests a special insight into the artistry and heritage that surrounds the Johnnie Walker brand.
To celebrate the launch of the platform, Johnnie Walker’s Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker presented a trio of exclusive, private expressions inspired by three global visionaries: interior designer Kelly Wearstler, photographer and filmmaker Gabriel Moses, and Singapore style maven and entrepreneur Yoyo Cao. Dr. Walker worked with the three luminaries, turning their stories of creativity and innovation into bespoke blends that captured each individual’s spirit.
Cao’s expression, for one, spoke of her endless pursuit of creativity. As one of Singapore’s pioneering fashion content creators, Cao put her home country on the global fashion map with her distinct sense of style and vibrant persona. Since then, Cao has made her mark all over the world, in places like Paris, Milan and even Japan. And that’s not all. Cao added entrepreneur to her résumé in 2010, with the launch of her muilti-label boutique Exhibit. While she shut down Exhibit in 2019, it only took her three years to embark on yet another adventure: Romi Beauty, with her co-founders Arissa Cheo and Lin Ting.
Cao’s love for Japan can be experienced through the blend Dr. Walker created. “The influence of Japan—the people, place, culture and food—and sakura season [drew] me to cherry blossom, red berries and plums, as well as clean and intense flavours including horse radish, wasabi and spices,” shares Dr. Walker. It’s Dr. Walker’s whisky blending expertise—coupled with her incredible attention to detail—that made Cao’s bespoke expression so special for her.
“As an entrepreneur I am constantly seeking new ways to expand my creative journey, face new challenges and bring my vision to life,” Cao says. “Just as Dr. Walker is doing through Johnnie Walker Vault, her craft of blending whisky to create blends with unique character is so inspiring. I loved seeing mine come to life and how she bottled my aura of joy into my own blend.”
Ahead, we speak to Cao to find out more about her special Johnnie Walker whisky blend, created by Dr. Walker, and the parallels she sees between the worlds of luxury fashion and whisky.
GRAZIA Singapore (GS): What prompted your appreciation of fine whisky? Was there a particular moment you recall?
Yoyo Cao (YC): My appreciation for whisky really began when I started working with Johnnie Walker—it opened up a whole new world of craftsmanship, depth, and storytelling. Over the years, I’ve come to love how each blend carries a narrative, much like a great outfit. One particular moment that stands out is tasting my bespoke Johnnie Walker Vault blend for the first time—it was like meeting a part of myself in a glass.
GS: Can you describe your whisky blend in five words?
YC: Innovative, creative, vibrant, joyful and authentic—a true representation of myself in liquid form!
GS: Did any personal memories give rise to the Japanese-inspired notes in your blend?
YC: I absolutely adore Japan—from the delicate beauty of sakura season to the boldness of its cuisine. Those memories and emotions came through in my creative conversations with Dr. Walker, and she translated them into notes of cherry blossom, red berries, plums, and hints of wasabi and spice. It felt like bottling up some of my favourite moments.
GS: What does timeless craftsmanship mean to you in both fashion and whisky?
YC: Timeless craftsmanship is all about intention—it’s about creating with care, detail, and a sense of legacy. Whether it’s a perfectly tailored coat or a beautifully layered whisky, both require vision and soul. The artistry behind my Johnnie Walker Vault blend reminded me of designing something to last beyond trends.
GS: Luxury today is shifting towards personalisation and storytelling. How does your whisky blend reflect your personal style and journey?
YC: What I loved most about this experience was how Dr. Walker used the smallest details—from my favourite season to my colour palette—to craft something that feels so me. My blend brings together elements from Japan, my love for autumn, and flavours that evoke both softness and edge. It’s personal, multi-layered, and grounded in storytelling—just like the way I approach fashion.
GS: If you could pair a whisky blend with one of your signature looks, what would it be?
YC: I’d definitely pair it with my go-to leather jacket and some boots to go along with.
GS: When savouring a good whisky, what is the most important factor? Are there any rituals you love to incorporate when appreciating whisky?
YC: For me, it’s all about being present—taking a moment to slow down and really savour the complexity. I usually enjoy it neat, in a quiet setting, maybe with music or during late-night creative work. It becomes a little ritual of appreciation, a pause in the day.
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