Sir Alexander Walker (1837 – 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 distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Various grains (which may be malted) are used for different varieties, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden c ...
throughout the
British Empire
The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts esta ...
.
Biography
Early life
Walker was born 1837, in
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock (, sco, Kilmaurnock; gd, Cill Mheàrnaig (IPA: ʰʲɪʎˈveaːɾnəkʲ, "Marnock's church") is a large town and former burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland and is the administrative centre of East Ayrshire, East Ayrshire Council. ...
, 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 and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
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
Businesspeople in the drink industry
19th-century British businesspeople
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