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Johnnie Walker is often called the king among whiskeys, meaning by this not only the highest quality of the drink, but also recognition. If you conduct a mini-survey among random passers-by on the street, three out of three will name Johnny Walker among the most popular brands of whiskey. Over 200 million bottles of Johnnie Walker are sold worldwide each year.
Historical information
John “Johnny” Walker was born in 1805 near the Scottish city of Kilmarnock and from the age of 15 ran a grocery, tea and liquor store. John’s son, Alexander, learned the art of tea blending while working for a tea merchant in Glasgow. When Alexander returned to Kilmarnock to take over the family business, he applied his knowledge to blending whiskey. In 1867, the first blend of Old Highland Whiskey appeared, which was later renamed Blacknake Johnnie Walker.
In 1870, Alexander Walker first used square bottles as they fit more in a box and were less likely to break in transit. Alexander Walker also introduced the famous 24-degree slanted label so that the brand name could be easily read without tilting the head.
The company received a new impetus for development when it passed into the hands of the sons of Alexander – George and Alexander II. In 1909, the Walkers renamed their range of whiskeys and Johnnie Walker Red Label and Johnnie Walker Black Label were born. Today, control of the company belongs to the alcohol giant Diageo.
Awards
Johnnie Walker Red Label is one of the most titled varieties, awarded numerous medals at prestigious competitions in the world of alcohol:
- 2013 – Gold medal and victory in the Blended Scotch nomination at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2013 и 2014 – медаль Silver Outstanding на International Wine & Spirit Competition;
- 2014 – Gold medal at The Scotch Whiskey Masters;
- 2015 – Gold medal at the International Whiskey Competition.
Johnnie Walker Black Label:
- 2007 – Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2013 – Double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2013 – медаль Gold Outstanding на International Wine & Spirit Competition;
- 2015 – Gold medal at The Scotch Whiskey Masters.
Johnnie Walker Double Black:
- 2013 – Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2014 – Silver medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition;
- 2015 – Gold medal at The Scotch Whiskey Masters.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label:
- 2007 – Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2013 – Double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition;
- 2014 – Gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Interesting Facts
- The famous logo depicting a walking man with a cane and playing around with the surname Walker (translated from English as a walker) appeared almost by accident. The Walker brothers were having lunch with fellow artist Tom Brown, and while waiting for his order, he drew a funny figure on the back of the menu. In 2015, the logo was redesigned: the image of a walking gentleman became more detailed, but the original idea was preserved.
- One of the connoisseurs of Johnnie Walker Black Label was the English Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. But not everyone knows that the politician even captured his favorite drink on an art canvas and called it “Bottle Neck”. The painting adorned the fireplace room in the family estate for many years and only recently went under the hammer at the Bonhams auction for a quite decent price for an amateur – 420 thousand dollars.
- Many true gentlemen enthusiastically met the collaboration between Johnnie Walker and the English shoe brand Oliver Sweeney. The result of this collaboration is the creation of extravagant men’s brogues: at first glance, an example of Oxford style, but in the heel of each boot there is a special compartment for a 50-gram Johnnie Walker Red Label. The petite bottle rests on a red suede lining and is clearly visible through a transparent inset on the sole. The heels of the shoes are adorned with the recognizable “JW” monogram, and this, coupled with the highest quality of the shoes, reconcile buyers with the price per pair – £279.
- Indian actor Badruddin Kazi starred in films all his life under the pseudonym Johnny Walker. The director came up with the pseudonym, impressed by how a non-drinking actor brilliantly portrayed a pretty drunk person.
- The face of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label ad campaign is Oscar-winning actor Jude Law, who starred in two short films called “Gentleman’s Bet”.
- Christina Hendricks, the red-haired star of Mad Men, has been a brand ambassador for Red Label and Black Label since 2011.
Types of whiskey Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker Red Label, 40%
It was this variety that created worldwide fame and financial well-being of the brand. You can add the word “most” to any descriptive epithet without hesitation: recognizable, sold, popular, loved. The blend was created by the company in 1909 from 35 different spirits and has remained a constant bestseller ever since.
The blend harmoniously combines light whiskeys from the East Coast of Scotland and dark “peaty” whiskeys from the West. The character of the drink is determined by its expressive and spicy aroma. Rich and full-bodied taste, complemented by notes of spices, fresh pastries, kumquat. Equally good in its pure form and in combination with tonic, cola or fruit juice.
Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 YO, 43%
With the Johnnie Walker Green Label recipe, master blender Jim Beveridge aimed to create a blend with a flavor not found in any single malt. Jim’s vast experience helped decide the balance of Speyside, Highland and Lowland malts and more intense island whiskeys, each aged for a minimum of 15 years in American and European oak casks. The unique Johnnie Walker Green Label fragrance is a sophisticated combination of four key ingredients from Linkwood, Talisker, Caol Ila and Cragganmore.
The individual characteristics of these mature malt whiskeys are perfectly balanced to bring together aromas of crisp grass, fresh fruit, wood smoke, pepper, vanilla and sandalwood. Taste with notes of cereals, coffee beans, chocolate, walnuts. The aftertaste is spicy, with honey sweetness and an oak tint. A recognized expert in the field of spirits, Jim Murray awarded this whiskey with a score of 95 points.
Johnnie Walker Black Label, 40%
Black Label is one of the most famous Deluxe Scotch Whiskeys blends in the world, recognized as the benchmark and awarded with many awards. The blend consists of 40 single malts, the youngest of which has been aged for at least 12 years. The aroma contains spices, molasses, notes of orange and white pepper. The taste is balanced, with motifs of cereals, herbal honey, creamy toffee, with a characteristic smokiness.
Johnnie Walker Double Black, 40%
Double Black is a new blend in the style of the much-loved Black Label, but with a richer smoky flavor. Blender Jim Beveridge used for him about 40 varieties of whiskey, aged in double-fired barrels. The bouquet is influenced by malts from the west coast and the islands of Scotland, the smell of peat smoke is balanced by hints of apples, pears and citrus fruits. The taste is soft, oily, with a rich malt core, hints of cereals and toffee toffee.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label, 40%
A gem in the Johnnie Walker family, created by master blender Jim Beveridge, who personally selected rare 18-year-old malt and grain spirits. The name of the blend was not accidental: the Clynelish single-malt, which is part of the composition, is produced on the basis of water from a source in which 200 years ago prospectors washed gold. Traces of the presence of the precious metal in the water are still found today.
Gold Label is creamy smooth, opening with sweet nectar and almond aromas, then transitioning to fresh fruit and velvety honey undertones before giving way to notes of smoke and tannins. Received four prestigious Le Monde Selection Grand Golds and the same number of double gold medals at the San Francisco competition.
Johnnie Walker Platinum Label, 40%
A premium whiskey inspired by John Walker & Sons’ longstanding tradition of making “private blends” for a circle of close friends and business associates, Master Blender Jim Beveridge created. The name Platinum Label emphasizes that this drink is for special occasions and exclusive gifts. Spirits are selected from rare varieties stored in a limited number of barrels.
The aroma contains notes of citruses and almonds. The taste reveals itself gradually: it starts with vanilla sweetness and tangerines, turns into tones of caramel and maraschino cherries, and towards the finish it acquires a tart shade of sandalwood, cinnamon and barely audible smoke. Awarded a gold medal at The Scotch Whiskey Masters in 2015.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label, 40%
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the brand’s unsurpassed masterpiece, an extraordinary whiskey for exceptional occasions. This is an exquisite blend of 16 exclusive Scottish whiskeys, some of which are 60 years old. Only one in every ten thousand barrels has the quality, character and aroma to be worthy of being used in a Blue Label blend. The volume of release is limited, each bottle is marked with an individual number.
Johnnie Walker’s blue label is reminiscent of Old Highland Walker, a wonderful blend created in 1867 by Johnnie Walker’s son, Alexander. Blue Label has a surprisingly smooth taste, with hints of honey herbs, marzipan and smoke, the aftertaste adds honey and dried fruits to this mix. Blue Label has won numerous awards, including six Le Monde Grand Golds and three double golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
