Whisky Guide > Distillery Profiles > Dailuaine Distillery

Johnnie Walker

Along with Cardhu distillery, situated a few miles away, Dailuaine is a key component of the Johnnie Walker blends.

John Walker started his grocery business in 1820 in Kilmarnock. Although whisky was sold in the shop, in a small way three things conspired to change everything. In 1865 John's son, Alexander joined the company and it was he who realised the potential for whisky. Alas within a year of joining, his father died. With a change in law now permitting the mixing of grain and malt whiskies, Alexander started working on his first blends.

The company went from strength to strength, Alexander's three sons joined the board and their brands, Old High White Label, Special Red Label & Extra Special Black Label were competing with the likes of Teachers and Roderick Dhu.

In 1893 the company purchased its first distillery, Cardhu. This was followed quickly in 1896 by the lowland distillery, Annandale. Over the next few decades they acquired interests in several other distilleries: Glen Mhor, Glen Albyn, Coleburn, Clynelish and in 1916 Dailuaine-Talisker Distilleries Ltd.

The company remained independent until 1923 when it went public to the tune of £4,195,297. The stocks of whisky were valued at £8,100,000. Two years later it joined forces with its rivals Buchanan-Dewar and merged with DCL.

The name "Johnnie Walker" was registered in 1908, and as part of the marketing campaign Johnnie Walker was portrayed as a strutting, monocled chap by cartoonist Tom Browne. The character and the slogan "Keep Walking" are internationally recognised symbols for Johnnie Walker's whiskies.