John (Johnnie) Walker

1805 - 1859

Whisky Blender. Born near Kilmarnock, he established a grocery shop in the town in the 1820, and began to blend whisky. His brand, Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, thrived and became world famous. The business was developed by Walker's grandson, Sir Alexander Walker, whose office still stands in John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock is still the centre for Johnnie Walker Red and Black Label blending and bottling, now produced by United Distillers & Vintners Ltd, an Edinburgh-based subsidiary of Diageo plc, the London-based food and drinks multi-national, which has a turnover of £12 billion.

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