The first female master blender for Scotch whisky’s top-selling Scotch whisky in its 156-year history has been appointed by the company.
Dr Emma Walker will succeed Dr Jim Beveridge OBE. He has been Johnnie Walker’s master blender over the past 20 years.
Diageo, which has Johnnie Walker as its owner, brought her on board 13 years ago. For the past six years, she has been working as a Scotch blender.
Johnnie Walker will make Dr Emma Walker its first female master blender in its 156 year history
She will be responsible, in addition to Blue Label Ghost and Rare, for the limited-edition Jane Walker By Johnnie Walker blend.
Dr Walker will lead a 12-strong team made up of whisky experts who blend whisky from Scotland and sell it in more than 180 other countries.
She will be one of a small, select group of people to take on the coveted role of master blender in the business’s existence, the first being founder John Walker.
She stated, “It is an honor to assume the title of master blender of Johnnie Walker. It also comes at an exciting time for Johnnie Walker as we embark on our next step in our journey looking forward to the next 200 Years.”
Dr Walker with Dr Jim Beveridge OBE. Jim Beveridge OBE was the master blender for the past twenty years.
“I love innovating and experimenting with flavour. We’ll be working hard not only to continue to deliver the unrivalled standard for quality, but also to introduce blends to appeal more to a new generation Scotch whisky lovers.
Dr Jim Beveridge OBE, a 42-year-old Johnnie Walker employee, said: “It is with pleasure that I pass this privilege on to Emma.
“I believe she will do a great job, as she has the knowledge and expertise to make an outstanding Master Blender.
Dr Beveridge said of leaving the role to Dr Walker: ‘I know that her wonderfully infectious personality will bring something exciting and different to the team and, indeed, to the wider Scotch industry’
Dr Walker stated she was honored to accept the title of master blender of Johnnie Walker. This title will be held by Dr Beveridge through the end of 2012.
“On a personal note, I am delighted for her. I also know that her infectious personality that made working alongside her so enjoyable will bring something different to the team, and indeed to the wider Scotch sector.
In 2019, Her Majesty, the Queen awarded Dr Beveridge an OBE for his contributions to Scotch Whisky.
Julie Bramham is the Global Brand Director at Johnnie Walker. She also stated that Dr Walker will be taking over at an “exciting time” for the company.
She said, “Scotch is enjoyed in so much different ways by people around the world and Emma and her staff will continue to develop the exceptional tastes textures and flavours we are known for.”
Dr Walker spoke out about the new position, saying that he loves experimenting with flavour and will be working hard not only to continue to deliver the unrivalled level of quality we are known for but also to innovate with it.
She will be responsible to produce the limited-edition Jane Walker mix by Johnnie Walker, as well as the Blue Label Ghost series and Rare series.
Dr Walker pictured with Aimée Gibson, who were both on the blending team at Johnnie Walker. Dr Walker first joined Diageo as a Project Scientist on the Whisky Team in 2008
Before Dr Walker began working in whisky, she studied chemistry for six-years at three institutions. She started with a two year apprenticeship at Imperial Chemical Industries in Teesside.
She went on to complete her PhD at Sheffield University as a Master of Chemistry.
Dr Walker was a Process Chemist at GlaxoSmithKline for nine month before joining Diageo in 2008 as a Project Scientist on their Whisky Team.
After that, she moved into production roles at the distilleries in Leven, Cameronbridge, and Knockando.
She returned to the Whisky Specialist team in 2013 as a blender and brought her knowledge of whisky production back to the blending team.
The new position will be filled by the Dr Walker (no relation to the whisky families) in January 2022.
King George V awarded the Royal Warrant to the brand in 1934.