A stroll back in time as Johnnie Walker ‘crown jewels’ go on show
Treasured historical artefacts from whisky maker’s past going on display, reports Martin Williams
They are remarkable documents that give us a fascinating insight into the roots of Johnnie Walker
IT began in 1820 when John Walker opened a grocer’s store in Kilmarnock and went on to sell a range of spirits including specially blended whiskies.
Eventually Johnnie Walker whisky was born, the famous walking man logo was introduced in 1909, and it grew to become one of the world’s first truly global brands – being sold in 12 countries.
Two centuries later the rarest items from those humble beginnings are to go on public display in the town where it all started.
The oldest item in the John Walker exhibition, a partnership between the Dick Institute museum in Kilmarnock and the Johnnie Walker Archive, is an 1819 hand-written document which marks the sale of Todriggs Farm – a deal that funded the establishment of the grocery store.
An 1825 hand-written inventory from John Walker’s grocery store, the oldest existing record from the premises, will also go on display. It details a stock of exotic teas from China, spices from Jamaica and, of course, Scotch whisky.
There is also a John Walker stock book dating from 1857, recording the growth of the business and its increasing focus on whisky in the year of John’s death, when the business passed to his son Alexander.
Christine Mccafferty, chief archivist at the Johnnie Walker Archive, said: “These items really are the crown jewels of our collection. They are remarkable historical documents that give us a fascinating insight into the roots of Johnnie Walker.
“I’m delighted that to celebrate the 200th anniversary of John Walker starting out in his business we are able to put these items on display to the public in the town where the story began.”
Also included in the exhibition is a rare original copy of a book by Victorian whisky writer Alfred Barnard who visited the Walker’s premises in Kilmarnock in 1893.
There are also the first international medals awarded to Walker’s whiskies, from the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879, Adelaide in 1887 and Melbourne in 1888.
A spokesman for the exhibition said: “Through these items the Johnnie Walker display will tell the inspiring story of the business and brand as it grew from a small grocery store.
“It will reveal the Walker family entrepreneurial spirit as they pioneered global trade, their remarkable talent for innovation with the iconic square bottle and slanted label, and how they led the world in advertising when the Striding Man became one of the world’s first ‘logos’ in 1908.”
The exhibition will sit alongside the Dick Institute’s Robert Burns display, home to an original Kilmarnock Edition – the first book of Burns poetry published in 1786.
The spokesman added: “Now, the arguably two most famous Scottish names around the globe will have their unique Kilmarnock stories told side-byside for the first time. “
Sir Alexander Walker II, the grandson of John Walker, who was involved in running the Johnnie Walker business in the early 20th century, gifted a significant collection of art work to the Dick Institute, with these works remaining on display to this day.
The Johnnie Walker display will be a permanent feature in the Dick Institute, with different artefacts from the Johnnie Walker Archive being rotated on a regular basis. The current loan items will be on display until October.
Elena Whitham, deputy leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: “We have always recognised John Walker as a son of Kilmarnock and it’s entirely appropriate that these artefacts will be on display in his hometown.”