Allegedly he was born 1820, but this adventure actually started in 1819 when 14 year old John Walker sold the family farm and moved to Kilmarnoch to open a grocery business. 

But it was not until his son Alexander in 1857 launched “Walker’s Old Highland Blend” that the family name was seen on the labels. Soon after the square bottle and slanted label was introduced. But the Red and Black Label brands were not created until 1909 after Tom Browne had designed the now so iconic “striding man”.

The brand is owned by Diageo.