Johnnie Walker John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend Limited Edition Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml          ABV: 51%          Age: No Age Statement          Country: Scotland

This is one of four limited edition labels produced to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Johnnie Walker. The brand Johnnie Walker was first created in 1820 by John Walker, a green grocer from Kilmarnock in Scotland. The Excise Act was introduced in 1823 relaxing strict laws on distillation and reduced the heavy taxes on distillation and the sale of whisky. John Walker sold blended malt and grain whiskies from his grocery store and as he did not have a brand of his own started to use his own name on the labels selling the blended malt as ‘Walker’s Kilmarnock Whisky.

In 1860 the brand’s signature logo was introduced by Alexander Walker, a square bottle. This meant more bottles could fit into the same space and the bottles were less likely to break. The label was also introduced where it was applied at an angle of 24 degrees upwards left to right and allowed text to be made larger and more visible.

In 1893 the Cardhu Distillery was purchased and this meant a steady run of Johnnie Walker could be produced with thoughts and plans for expansion. The Walker brand purchased Coleburn Distillery, Clynelish Distillery, Dailuaine Distillery and Talisker Distillery. In 1923 Mortlach Distillery as purchased and shaped the Walker strategy.

In July 2009, the brand’s current owners, Diageo, decided to close all operations in Kilmarnock by 2012. This met with backlash from local people, local politicians, and then First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond.Despite petitions, public campaigns, and a large-scale march around Kilmarnock, Diageo proceeded with the closure. The Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock closed its doors in March 2012 and the buildings were subsequently demolished a year later.

In July 2020 Johnnie Walker looked at plans to develop a new environmentally-friendly paper bottle set to debut in early 2021.

The third release in the collection of releases for the 200th anniversary sees Diageo celebrate a milestone in the history of the Johnnie Walker brands. Inspired by the release of ‘Old Highland Whisky’ in the 1860s, which was created primarily for export and became the first Johnnie Walker product to travel from Scotland to the four corners of the world. With more whisky being sold overseas, the iconic design of the square bottle and uniquely slanted label were distinct and helped the name stand out against other whiskies.

“John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend is a sensorial journey featuring notes of sweet dried raisins, subtle spice and marzipan, which develop into hints of roasted nuts, icing sugar sweetness and gentle peat, with a soft pepper finish. It celebrates a historic moment in the our story.”  said Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker Master Blender

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Dried dark fruits of plum and raisins, Christmas cake with icing sugar and marzipan.

Palate: Christmas cake with toasted almonds, candy floss and subtle earthy smoke.

Finish: Dark fruits and soft spices.