Johnnie Walker -12 Years Old -Black Label Millennium Edition
70cl / 40%
£149
| Country | scotland |
| Region | speyside |
| Established | 1820 |
| Owner | Diageo |
| Type | Blended Scotch |
| Number of stills | Not specified |
| Visitor center | Yes |
| Status | Active |
| Phone | +44 131 376 9494 |
Johnnie Walker (Scottish Gaelic: Seonaidh Walker) is a renowned brand of Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland. Established in the Scottish burgh of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, in 1820, the whisky has grown to become the world’s highest-selling Scotch whisky, available in almost every country.
John Walker, Founder
Johnnie Walker was founded by grocer John Walker in 1820. Born on July 25, 1805, Walker managed the grocery, wine, and spirits segment of his family's business after the sale of their farm. Following the Excise Act of 1823, which relaxed strict laws and heavy taxes on whisky distillation, Walker began selling spirits, including rum, brandy, gin, and whisky. By 1825, he shifted his focus mainly to whisky, blending both malt and grain whiskies to create bespoke blends for customers. John Walker died in 1857, leaving the business to his son, Alexander "Alec" Walker, who significantly expanded its reach.
Expansion and Growth
Under Alexander Walker, the brand introduced its signature square bottle in 1860 and began applying labels at a 24-degree angle for better visibility. The arrival of the railway in Kilmarnock helped expand distribution, with sales reaching 100,000 gallons per year by 1862. Alec created Johnnie Walker's first commercial blend, Old Highland Whisky, in 1865, which was registered in 1867.
In 1893, the Walkers purchased the Cardhu distillery to ensure a steady supply of malt whisky for their blends. By 1909, they had rebranded their whiskies with color labels: Old Highland became Johnnie Walker White Label, Special Old Highland became Johnnie Walker Red Label, and Extra Special Old Highland became Johnnie Walker Black Label. The Striding Man mascot, introduced in 1909, remains a key element of the brand's identity.
Modern Era
Johnnie Walker joined Distillers Company in 1925, which was later acquired by Guinness in 1986. Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to form Diageo in 1997. In 2012, Diageo closed the Kilmarnock plant, ending a 190-year association with the town.
Originally produced and bottled in Kilmarnock, Johnnie Walker is now crafted from whiskies sourced from several distilleries owned by Diageo, including Cardhu, Caol Ila, and Clynelish. The blending process ensures consistency and quality across all Johnnie Walker products.
Johnnie Walker offers a variety of blends:
Johnnie Walker continues to innovate, with plans for an environmentally-friendly paper bottle and the introduction of Jane Walker, a label created by the brand’s first female master blender, in 2021.
Johnnie Walker’s legacy is marked by its consistent quality, innovative marketing, and global reach, making it a staple in the world of Scotch whisky
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About Glenbotal
The idea of Glenbotal came to us naturaly: as whisky lovers, we were always on the lookout for new experiences in the whisky world. That’s why we created Glenbotal and became our very own first customers. We buy unique and hard to find spirits from auctions, ballots, and private collections. Then, we share them with a small circle of friends and people who can appreciate a good dram.
