The iconic square Johnnie Walker bottle is rooted in Scottish practicality - the shape meant more bottles could fit in massive wooden cases for export, would suffer less breakage and create more profits. John Walker, 1805 - 1857, was a green grocer in Kilmonark, East Ayrshire, the town my Olivers were forced to vacate at bayonet point in 1815. For decades, the brand was called “Johnnie Walker’s Kilmarnock Whisky”. His blends are the most popular Scotch in the world, but I can’t drink the stuff; it’s too sweet for my palate. I’m a Laphroaig man and if you’ve ever tasted that sublime single malt from Islay (eye-LA), you know why.
© 2024 John Oliver
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