I’m Still Thinking About: The Johnnie Walker and Devereux Capsule

A little more than a week ago Johnnie Walker and Devereux Golf launched their second collaboration, just in time for The People’s Open. I lead with “The People’s Open” instead of the tournament’s Christian name, the WM Phoenix Open, because it taps into precisely what JW and Devereux are trying to do with this team-up: bring the game of golf back to the people, the regular Joe’s, the 25 handicappers, and maybe even the odd golf-ignorant scotch lover.

You'd be forgiven if you didn’t see a connection between the two brands. Johnnie Walker is pure capital-G Golf, having a foothold in the game for more than a century. In contrast, Devereux, an upstart apparel brand started by brothers Will and Bert Brunner, is among a new wave of golf style and expression that's been all over the place the past five years. If that’s all you knew, you may think these two brands may be oil and water.

I thought that, too, so when I got the invite from team JW to make the jaunt from LA to Phoenix for the WMPO, I was a bit unsure of what I was getting into. To me, Johnnie Walker is sipping on Blue and talking shit about “those darn kids.” Devereux has a skull in their logo. You get the picture. But it turns out I was mistaken, and that’s a good thing. Johnnie Walker wants to take its century of golf experience into a new age, eschewing the stuffy sipping for something a bit more inclusive, vibrant, and fun.

The capsule collection reflects that ethos. Highlighted by a bright yellow satin jacket straight out of the 70s, a half-zip windbreaker you'll put in your rotation immediately, and a cheeky tartan soccer kit, the collection is equal parts vibrant and fun. It’s just classy enough to rock on the golf course, but bold graphics take it firmly into New Golf territory. Primarily done in yellow and green, the collection is Merch Tent-adjacent but doesn’t scream WM like much of what you'd find on site. (Don’t get me wrong, the merch this year was great. As I type this, I’m wearing a green and yellow Nike hoodie adorned with the WM logo.) Its a collection full of cheek and winks and nods to the history of Johnnie Walker while staying true to the rebellious spirit of Devereux.