Everyone is familiar with the ubiquitous iconic logo of “the Striding Man” — it graces the bottles of one of the finest Scotch whiskeys for over a century now. Indeed, if you look back I’m sure you have seen it on a bottle, a glass, a coaster or even a shirt or jacket somewhere in your experience. The icon is as prolific as the drink itself and the perfect embodiment of the world’s number one best-selling Scotch whiskey.
Yes, I am talking about Johnnie Walker. The brand has been represented by the “Striding Man,” drawn by cartoon satirist and illustrator Tom Browne, since its inception in 1908 and the brand image is still going strong. It is not an ordinary emblem; it has established itself as one of the most recognizable icons in the world and stands as a symbol of quality, authenticity and progress — all that Johnnie Walker stands for. Vivek Rampal, category director of whiskey and reserve, Diageo Asia Pacific, said: “Since its creation in 1908, the Striding Man has become an instantly recognizable mark of exceptional quality.”
Originally sketched on the back of a lunch menu, the striding, top-hatted dandy has come to personify the Johnnie Walker brand. It has marched through era after era under the hand of several artists and is portrayed as a gentleman who is adventurous and cosmopolitan. In 1999, in conjunction with the “Keep Walking” campaign, this iconic mark was altered slightly: now he walks from left to right. To be sure, though, little else has changed over the past century, including the original spirit of progress and sophistication that have steered the brand over 100 years.
In celebration of the past hundred years, Johnnie Walker recently released the Johnnie Walker Black Label Limited-Edition Anniversary bottle. At a special party at Members Only in the Fort, Johnnie Walker unveiled the special edition sleek all-black glossy bottle that features the “Striding Man” logo made of real gold.
“The Black Label Anniversary Edition pack is a celebration of the pioneering spirit and uncompromising values embraced by the brand over the past 100 years,” Rampal explains. “It is the perfect gift for any friend or business associate and a significant keepsake for any whiskey connoisseur.”
Indeed because the bottle was produced in a limited quality it is definitely a keepsake for all lovers of the Johnnie Walker brand. At the bottle’s special launch, Black Label drinks flowed and guests were treated to a sophisticated, cosmopolitan party. The grandeur was a fitting way to celebrate the logo’s golden anniversary. Guests who embody the Johnnie Walker lifestyle were chosen to receive their very own limited-edition anniversary packs, only available to a select few worldwide who now own the historic and iconic bottle.