Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced in Kilmarnock, Scotland. It is the most widely distributed brand of Scotch whisky in the world, sold in almost every country and with yearly sales of over 120 million bottles. It is imported to the United States by Diageo North America, Inc. of Norwalk, Connecticut.

History of Johnnie Walker

The "Striding Man," a figure used in advertisements for around 50 years. It was first created by artist Tom Browne based on a likeness of company founder John Walker.[2]
Black Label and Green Label.Originally known as Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, the brand is a legacy left by John ‘Johnnie’ Walker after he started to sell whisky in his grocer’s shop in Ayrshire, Scotland. The brand became popular, but after Walker's death in 1857 it was his son Alexander Walker and grandson Alexander Walker II who were largely responsible for establishing the whisky as a popular brand. Under John Walker, whisky sales represented eight percent of the firm’s income; by the time Alexander was ready to pass on the company to his own sons, that figure had increased to between 90 and 95 percent.[3]

Prior to 1860 it was illegal to sell blended (malt and grain mixed together) whisky.[4] During that time John Walker sold a number of whiskys—notably his own Walker’s Kilmarnock. In 1865 John’s son Alexander produced their first blend, Walker’s Old Highland.

Alexander Walker first introduced the iconic square bottle in 1870. The other identifying characteristic of the bottle is the label, which is applied at an angle of 24 degrees.

From 1906–1909 John’s grandsons George and Alexander II expanded the line and introduced the colour names. In 1908, when James Stevenson was the Managing Director, there was a rebranding of sorts. The whisky was renamed from Walker's Kilmarnock Whiskies to Johnnie Walker Whisky. In addition, the slogan, "Born 1820 – Still going Strong!" was created, along with the Striding Man, a figure used in their advertisements for around fifty years.

They dropped Johnnie Walker White during World War I. In 1932, Alexander II added Johnnie Walker Swing to the line.

Johnnie Walker continues to be blended in Kilmarnock, with a large plant just north of the town's railway station. The historic bonded warehouses and company offices (now local authority) can still be seen in Strand Street and John Finnie Street.


[edit] Blends
Johnnie Walker Red Label — a blend of grain whisky and malt whisky (about thirty five are used ), it is the second best selling whisky in the world (only bested by Jameson) and the only Johnnie Walker product marketed with mixing in mind. According to William Manchester, this was the favourite Scotch of Winston Churchill .[5] 80 proof.
Johnnie Walker Black Label — a blend of as many as 40 whiskies, each aged at least 12 years. 80 proof.
Johnnie Walker Millennium Edition - a collectors edition of 12 year old Black Label was released in limited amounts in the year 2000.
Johnnie Walker Deco - a very limited number of 350ml bottles were produced in beautiful art deco designed bottles, hence the name of this blend.

Johnnie Walker SwingJohnnie Walker Swing — named for the distinctive bottle, in which an irregular bottom allows it to rock back and forth. It was Alexander II’s last blend: it features a high proportion of Speyside malts, complemented by malts from the northern Highlands and Islay, and is "almost as sweet as a bourbon."[6]
Johnnie Walker Swing Superior - a limited edition variety based on the above blend, marked by its distinctive golden label. 86.8 proof.
Johnnie Walker Green Label — a vatted malt whisky that consists of a blend of about 15 individual single malts, the signature malts being Talisker, Cragganmore, Linkwood, and Caol Ila – Aged 15 years. 86 proof. Previously sold under the name 'Pure Malt'.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label — a rare blend of over 15 single malts, including the very rare Clynelish malt. It was derived from Alexander II's blending notes for a whisky to commemorate Johnnie Walker's centenary. His original efforts were thwarted by a shortage of these malts following World War I. Gold Label is commonly bottled at 18 years, although there are a number of very rare 15 year old bottlings of this variety. 80 proof.
Johnnie Walker Premium - a blend market specifically at the Japanese market.
Johnnie Walker 21 year old - a rare blend.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label — Johnnie Walker's ultimate blend. Every bottle is serial numbered and sold in a silk-lined box, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Although no age is declared, it is believed many of the whiskies blended are aged for 50 to 60 years. 86 proof.
Johnnie Walker Excelsior - a very rare double matured Scotch whisky, distilled in 1947.
Johnnie Walker 15 year old Kilmarnock 400 Whisky - a very, very rare 15 year old blend to mark the 400th anniversary of the granting of burgh status to Kilmarnock. Released in 1992 in very limited amounts.
Johnnie Walker Old Harmony - a rare blend marketed at the Japanese market. Very expensive.
Johnnie Walker Quest - a very special blend, more rare than Blue Label.
Johnnie Walker Honour - one of the most rare and most expensive blends of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky.
Johnnie Walker 150 years Anniversary 1820-1970 - the second most expensive of Johnnie Walker whiskies.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label 200th Anniversary — 2005 saw Johnnie Walker's extremely limited bottling of its ultimate blend. A special release of cask strength Blue Label, in a special square Baccarat crystal decanter. It is the most expensive Johnnie Walker product,selling recently for around $4,000 a bottle.
Johnnie Walker Premix / Johnny Walker One - Recently Johnnie Walker has started selling premix. This has become popular in certain areas of the world where people would mix the spirit with coke or another beverage, but most places prefer the drink strong with ice