Upon his father’s death in 1820, a young grocer named Johnnie Walker invested his $417 inheritance into a grocery and spirits shop on High Street in Scotland. While Walker himself was a teetotaller, he sold a popular single malt whisky under the name Walker’s Kilmarnock Whisky (at the time, it was common for each store to have its own unique spirits). Walker’s store was moderately successful, but by the time he retired in the 1850s, whisky sales represented just 8% of his business. 

In 1857, Alexander Walker — Johnnie Walker’s eldest son — inherited the store and began improving its selection of single malt Scotch whiskies. Alexander had previously apprenticed with a tea merchant in Glasgow and there, had learned the art of blending tea. Under his stewardship, the House of Walker began blending whisky and bottling it in an iconic, square bottle adorned with a slanted label.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Scotch Whisky celebrates Johnnie Walker’s unbroken 190 year legacy of blending expertise. “Gold Label Reserve features some of my favorite whiskies, including casks of Clynelish single malt Scotch whisky, whose water source flows from the Kildonan Hills — where gold was discovered in 1868,” said Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge. “It’s an exciting blend that offers a distinct new flavor for current Johnnie Walker fans and an appealing taste for people newer to Scotch whisky.”

The whisky has an aroma of fresh fruits, particularly pineapples, apples, and poached pears, along with a touch of peat. The aroma gives way to a bold, citrusy flavor profile, with hints of blackberries, malt, star anise, and raisins. The finish is soft and mellow, with a complex texture and satisfying touch.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is the newest label in the Johnnie Walker portfolio.

Pick up a bottle today!