COUNCIL OAK JOHNNIE WALKER DINNER

The legendary, original John Walker was born on July 25, 1805, on Todriggs Farm, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The farm was not far from Glasgow on the west side of the island. In 1819, John’s father died, and the family farm where little Johnnie had spent the first fourteen years of his life, was sold. Though he was still but a little lad of 15, the proceeds from the sale were used to purchase a grocery store inside Kilmarnock proper.

Even though his main trade was selling groceries, over time he became well known as the go-to supplier of tea, fine wines, and spirits. He sold all kinds of alcohol, including rum, brandy, and gin, but it was his own private label whiskey that gained him recognition in the region. Most shop owners of the day stocked single malts, with inconsistent taste and texture. Mr. Walker, being a savvy businessman, made his whiskey through blending, giving him the ability to maintain good flavor quality in every bottle.

In 1833, John married Elizabeth Purves, who later gave birth to their first son, Alexander. John was known locally as a member of trade associations and the Freemasons. After Johnnies death in 1857, the family business was taken over by Alexander. Britain was at the center of the Industrial Revolution, and with the arrival of the railroad in 1843 on his side, Alexander Walker created a distribution network that shipped John’s whiskey worldwide. By 1862, sales averaged 100,000 gallons each year. The first copyrighted blend, called “Old Highland Whisky,” hit the shelves in 1867. This recipe is a direct ancestor of what we know call Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Many historians consider Alexander the real driving force that took Johnnie Walker scotch whiskey from hometown bestseller to a globally recognized brand. Alexander’s sons introduced the naming conventions of “Red Label” and “Black Label” in 1909. Around the same time, the original sketch of the sophisticated walking man was created and added to the bottles. The brand website puts it best: “At a stroke, John Walker the Victorian grocer became Johnnie Walker, the Edwardian dandy.”

We will be serving a set menu, so if you have any dietary restrictions please be sure to inform us in advance so that we can make an accommodation.

MENU

AMUSE

Smoked salmon tartare shallot, caper dill, lemon crème friche, on fresh cucumber

Paired with Johnnie Walker Gold

SALAD

Apple Salad with honey roasted walnuts and smoked blue cheese, arugula, pomegranate vinaigrette

Paired with Johnnie Walker Green

ENTREE

Smoked pork tenderloin with apricot cherry glaze served with roasted fingerlings potato, brussell sprouts, and red onion

Paired with Johnnie Walker 18

DESSERT

Hazelnut butter cake with sea salt and caramel

Paired with Johnnie Walker Blue

*Gratuity and Tax Included