The Smoky Twelve is the perfect marriage of fruit,malt, oak and rich layers of smoke. Crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit and three cask matured for at least twelve years in bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and Marsala wine casks. The whisky from each cask is then expertly married together to create a smooth, creamy single malt, multilayered with flavours of ripened fruit, aromatic smoky sweetness and warming oak spice.

Johnnie Walker's first commercial blend, called Old Highland Whisky, was launched in 1867. Alexander Walker also introduced the brand's signature square bottle, and the distinctive slanted label. In 1893, the Walkers acquired the Cardhu distillery, and kept expanding through the early 20th century by buying interests in a number of distilleries. This ensured the company a steady supply of whiskies for its blends. By 1909, John's grandsons George and Alexander II had expanded the line, and sold three blended whiskies. In 1909, the company rebranded its whiskies, introducing the famous striding man logo and renaming the blends after the colors of their labels. By 1920, Johnnie Walker could be bought in 120 countries. The company joined Distillers Company in 1925, and, after its acquisition by Guinness, and Guinness's subsequent merger with Grand Metropolitan, the brand is now owned by Diageo, a British multinational beverage alcohol company. Johnnie Walker Red Label is the brand's pioneer blend. It is made by blending up to 30 malts and grains, combining light whiskies from Scotland's East Coast and more peaty whiskies from the West, all chosen specially for their bold, vibrant flavors. Johnnie Walker Red Label is the world's best-selling Scotch whisky.