Sir Alexander Walker (10 February 1837 – 16 July 1889) was a Scottish industrialist who was the son of
John ‘Johnnie’ Walker of the
whisky brand. He inherited the company in 1857 and expanded its business, exporting
whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of liquor made from Fermentation in food processing, fermented grain mashing, mash. Various grains (which may be Malting, malted) are used for different varieties, including barley, Maize, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky ...
throughout the
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, Crown colony, colonies, protectorates, League of Nations mandate, mandates, and other Dependent territory, territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It bega ...
.
Biography
Early life
Walker was born 1837, in
Kilmarnock, Scotland, the son of
John ‘Johnnie’ Walker.
Old Highland Whisky
In 1867 he registered ''Old Highland Whisky'', one of the earliest brands to be trademarked. From that time it has had the now famous slanted black and gold label. In the late 1870s he switched to the distinctive square bottle design.
1889 onwards
Upon his death in 1889, he left the business to his sons
George Paterson Walker and
Alexander Walker II.
George ran marketing and distribution through the
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
office. Alexander oversaw production, blending, and became an industry spokesman and whisky magnate.
External links
Alexander Walker at johnniewalker.com
Sources
''Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History'' by Charles MacLean. ©2003 Charles MacLean & Cassell Illustrated.
1837 births
1889 deaths
People from Kilmarnock
Whisky distillers
Scottish industrialists
19th-century Scottish businesspeople
{{Scotland-business-bio-stub