Alexander Walker II
Encyclopedia
Sir Alexander Walker II (1869–1950) was the younger grandson of John ‘Johnnie’ Walker
. He and his brother, George Paterson Walker
, took the control of the company after the death of their father Alexander Walker
in 1889.
Alexander took his father’s black labeled blend (called at the time Walker’s Old Highland) and added two more blends—Old Highland (white label), Special Old Highland (red label)—to the line. At the same time the original blend was renamed Extra Special Old Highland (black label)
In 1909 Alex’s brother George oversaw the creation of the Johnnie Walker
Striding Man logo, and the rebranding of the lines as Johnnie Walker White Label, Johnnie Walker Red Label, and Johnnie Walker Black Label.
The brothers discontinued White Label during World War I
to move the brand more upscale, and in 1932 Alex introduced his last blend, Johnnie Walker Swing.
Sir Alexander was knighted in 1920, retired in 1940, and on his death left all of his blending notes to the now public company.
In the 1990s John Walker and Sons introduced Johnnie Walker Gold Label based in large part on those notes.
John Walker (grocer)
John Walker was a Scottish grocer, who originated what would become one of the world’s most famous whisky brand names, Johnnie Walker.-Biography:...
. He and his brother, George Paterson Walker
George Paterson Walker
George Paterson Walker , oldest son of whisky maker Alexander Walker, took over the family business’ London office in 1888, overseeing distribution and marketing....
, took the control of the company after the death of their father Alexander Walker
Alexander Walker
Alexander Walker was the son of John ‘Johnnie’ Walker of the whiskey brand. He inherited the company in 1857 and expanded its business, exporting whisky throughout the British Empire....
in 1889.
Alexander took his father’s black labeled blend (called at the time Walker’s Old Highland) and added two more blends—Old Highland (white label), Special Old Highland (red label)—to the line. At the same time the original blend was renamed Extra Special Old Highland (black label)
In 1909 Alex’s brother George oversaw the creation of the Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch Whisky owned by Diageo and originated in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland.It is the most widely distributed brand of blended Scotch whisky in the world, sold in almost every country with yearly sales of over 130 million bottles.-History:Originally known as Walker's...
Striding Man logo, and the rebranding of the lines as Johnnie Walker White Label, Johnnie Walker Red Label, and Johnnie Walker Black Label.
The brothers discontinued White Label during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
to move the brand more upscale, and in 1932 Alex introduced his last blend, Johnnie Walker Swing.
Sir Alexander was knighted in 1920, retired in 1940, and on his death left all of his blending notes to the now public company.
In the 1990s John Walker and Sons introduced Johnnie Walker Gold Label based in large part on those notes.