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1805
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1825
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1850
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1875
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1900
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1925
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1950
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1975
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2000
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Today
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1805
John Walker born on 25th July
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1819
Death of John's father - sale of Todriggs Farm, where John had grown up. (Farm inventory shown)
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1820
The 14 year old John Walker's first shop in Kilmarnock, bought with the proceeds from the sale of Todriggs Farm.
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1825
John Walker's inventory list shows he is already selling his own spirits, including Rum, Brandy, Gin and Islay whisky.
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1837
Alexander Walker born on 10th February to John and his wife Elizabeth.
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1843
Arrival of railway in Kilmarnock, greatly extending the potential reach of the business.
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1850
Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky being sold at the shop.
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1852
A disastrous flood destroys Walker's entire stock, nearly putting the family out of business.
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1856
Alexander (Alec) Walker joins the family business and persuades his father to go into whisky wholesaling.
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1857
Death of John Walker; Alec takes over the business.
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1860
The Spirits Act permits the large- scale blending of whiskies from more than one distillery in bond, in effect allowing the creation of blended whisky as we know it today. The iconic square-sided bottle is introduced for Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky; Alec breaks into international trade by putting ship captains on commission to sell his whisky on board their vessels.
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1862
Thanks to Alec's business acumen, sales of Walker's Kilmarnock hit 100,000 gallons (450,000 litres) per year.
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1864
Alec's son George Paterson Walker born on 15th October.
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1865
Alec creates 'Old Highland Whisky', and registers it two years later, making it one of the earliest copyrighted brands. This was the forerunner of Johnnie Walker Black Label.
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1869
Alec's son Alexander Walker born on 22nd March.
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1877
The Old Highland Whisky's slanted label is trademarked - at an angle of 24 degrees, the same as today.
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1879
Walker's Whisky wins its first medal at the International Exhibition in Sydney, Australia.
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1889
Alec Walker dies and business is passed to his sons Alexander II and George P. Walker. George is concerned mainly with the business side of the company, while Alexander II is a brilliant blender.
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1893
The Cardhu distillery is purchased from the Cumming family for £20,500 to protect the stocks of one of the Walker blends' key malt whiskies.
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1906
The company now has three main brands: Old Highland White Label 5yo; Special Old Highland Red Label 9yo; Extra Special Old Highland Black Label 12yo.
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1908
James Stevenson is by now Managing Director and the iconic Striding Man is commissioned from famous illustrator Tom Browne. Browne supposedly drew the first Striding Man on a menu card while having lunch with Stevenson and George Walker. Stevenson comes up with the classic strapline 'Born 1820 - Still Going Strong'.
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1909
The Old Highland Whisky variants are officially rebranded as Johnnie Walker; The range includes Red Label 10 year old and Black Label 12 year old, along with the short-lived White Label 6 year old.
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1914-18
First World War; Alexander Walker and James Stevenson supervise the production of ammunition for the war effort at the Ministry of Munitions and are later awarded a knighthood and a baronetcy respectively. White Label is discontinued as the Johnnie Walker brand moves upmarket.
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1915
John Walker & Sons becomes shareholder in Coleburn distillery
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1916
The Walker company becomes a shareholder in Clynelish Distillery Co. & Dailuaine- Talisker Co
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1920
Alexander Walker designs a special blend for 100th anniversary for the company directors; Square bottle becomes standard for all JW blends.
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1923
Walker & Sons goes public
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1925
John Walker & Sons is amalgamated, alongside Buchanan-Dewar Ltd, into Distillers Company Ltd (DCL).
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1932
Johnnie Walker Swing is designed by Alexander for international travellers; the innovative bottle is still produced today.
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1934
Johnnie Walker receives its first Royal Warrant from King George V.
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1940
Alexander II retires from the whisky business; he passes away in 1950.
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1966
The company is honoured with a Queen's Award for Export Achievement.
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1970
The company celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the opening of John Walker's first shop in Kilmarnock with a special limited edition gift case containing a crystal decanter and a very rare blend.
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1992
Johnnie Walker Oldest, the first edition of Blue Label is introduced to great acclaim.
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1995
Johnnie Walker Gold Label is introduced, based on Alexander Walker II's notes for a Centenary blend presented to directors in 1920.
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2005
An Anniversary edition of Blue Label is released at cask strength for the bicentenary of John Walker's birth.
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2007
Johnnie Walker King George V is released, initially only for travel retail.
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2010
Johnnie Walker Double Black is introduced with extra Islay smoke character; The John Walker is released in a Baccarat crystal decanter.
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2011
Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 year old makes its debut in travel retail.
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2012
Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve introduced, rolled out alongside JW Platinum in standard range; A limited edition Diamond Jubilee decanter is released with a price tag of £100,000.
