3rd September, 2020 by Nicola Carruthers
Diageo’s head of whisky outreach, Dr Nicholas Morgan, has penned a new book recounting the history behind blended Scotch brand Johnnie Walker.
Dr Nicholas Morgan is Diageo’s head of whisky outreach
The book, called A Long Stride, is the first in-depth account of the history behind the world’s biggest-selling Scotch whisky brand. According to Brand Champions data, Diageo-owned Johnnie Walker sold 18.4 million nine-litre cases in 2019.
The history of Johnnie Walker dates back to 1820 and a small grocery store in Kilmarnock, Scotland. The tome recounts how the brand survived late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, endured two World Wars and the Great Depression to achieve global success as the world’s best-selling Scotch whisky. Johnnie Walker was also said to have transformed the world of advertising.
A Long Stride is the result of years of research by Morgan and decades within the whisky industry. The hardback also details the development of Scotch whisky as a popular drink across the world.
Morgan was inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame in March 2018. He looks after Diageo’s portfolio of Scotch whisky brands, including Johnnie Walker. Diageo is the world’s largest Scotch whisky distiller.
The release of the publication coincides with the brand’s 200th anniversary. The name of the book references Johnnie Walker’s iconic striding man logo.
A Long Stride will be released on 29 October 2020. It will be available in hardback, priced at £16.99 (US$22.50), and in electronic format, priced at £13.59 (US$18).
A Long Stride will be released in October 2020
