Johnnie Walker Advert Description
Publication: The Illustrated London News
Date: October 17, 1964
Title: Johnnie Walker starts 1,200 feet up
Visual Description:
The advert prominently features a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky and a glass of whisky placed on a rock with a waterfall in the background.
Caption/Text in the Advert:
“Johnnie Walker starts 1,200 feet up”
Main Text:
“It’s no accident that Johnnie Walker’s distilleries are set in the misty highlands of Scotland. To make their wonderful malt whiskies they draw water from the pure sparkling springs rising in the heather-covered hills nearby. Water that has run through the peat whose smoke dries the barley in the kiln and gives malt whisky its characteristic flavour. The taste of the highland water, however, is less apparent. It simply helps to have indefinable qualities that make scotch whisky impossible to produce anywhere else in the world.”
Subsections:
Exclusive rights
“The importance of water to whisky is well demonstrated by the fact that most distilleries hold title deeds giving them exclusive rights to the burns that supply them. It is essential that they can be certain that the water will flow to no distillery but their own, and so no Johnnie Walker—and considerably less pleasure in the world today.”Whisky under lock and key
“From the moment it is made, scotch malt whisky is subject to the law. The eagle eye of the man from Customs and Excise watches over it through every phase of its life. Hence the padlocks of highland—somewhat surprisingly to the layman—throughout the distillery. So the excise man goes along for the ride. From the maturing, golden whisky he goes right through the blending and bottling. Each seal he applies is as sure as a new seal for the padlock.”
Trending StoriesA matter of taste
“You can drink Johnnie Walker neat or with soda or water. When you are hot and thirsty, you find it with ice ‘on the rocks’ if you prefer. The way to bring out Johnnie Walker’s character most fully is to take it with an equal amount of water. The way to get the most enjoyment from it is up to you. Johnnie Walker is a great whisky, however you drink it.”He keeps Johnnie Walker longer than most people
“Johnnie Walker is matured in oak barrels used by the most knowledgeable and trustworthy cooper in Scotland. Unlike most people involved in production, he is paid to do nothing but ensure that nothing whatever is done to the product while it is in his hands. The renewable oak sherry casks, into which the newly distilled spirit is fed, do all that is necessary; aided only by the passage of time. When it leaves him, the once immature spirit has become full, smooth, mellow whisky and, if it’s good enough, will find its way into Johnnie Walker.”
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Product Information:
“Red Label: Bottle, 48/6 (24 fl. ozs.) Half Bottle, 23/3, Miniature, 3/6.”
Slogan:
“SAY JOHNNIE WALKER”
Welcome to The Whiskey Wash Vintage Johnnie Walker Advert Archive
This archive presents a collection of over 100 adverts for Johnnie Walker, spanning from the 1910s to the 1960s. It captures a dynamic period in global history, marked by profound political and social changes, including two World Wars, the Great Depression, the rise and fall of empires, and the dawn of the Cold War. These events profoundly shaped societal attitudes and lifestyles, mirrored by the mid-20th century movements like the civil rights struggle, decolonization in Africa and Asia, and significant technological and cultural advances, reflecting a world rapidly evolving in its complexity and interconnectedness.
The impact of these global events on whisky production, advertising, and commerce was substantial. Resource scarcities and economic challenges during the World Wars and the Great Depression necessitated innovations in marketing and production efficiency. Following the war, the economic boom, increased global affluence, and the expansion of mass media enabled whisky brands like Johnnie Walker to engage a broader audience through increasingly sophisticated advertising campaigns. This era also witnessed the ascension of consumer culture and branding as pivotal elements of commerce, with companies using evolving advertising techniques to cultivate brand identity and foster loyalty in a competitive market.
Why Johnnie Walker?
Johnnie Walker has not only been a frontrunner in the whisky industry since its establishment in 1820 but has also played a pivotal role in shaping the advertising world. These adverts offer more than just a glimpse into the brand’s history; they serve as a mirror reflecting societal changes, evolving marketing trends, and the artistry of generations past. From classic artwork to memorable slogans that have stood the test of time, Johnnie Walker’s global influence is undeniable.
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To ensure that this archive serves as a valuable resource for everyone—from researchers and students to whisky aficionados and art lovers—we are offering it under a Creative Commons license. This means that you are free to use, share, and adapt the content for any purpose, even commercially, provided you give appropriate credit.
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