Kilmarnock is perhaps best known worldwide through the name 'Johnnie Walker'. William Wallace & Company claimed to have been founded in 1760. Their blend was branded 'The Real MavKay' simply to identify it as the real thing. John Walker opened up in Strand Street as an Italian warehouseman and wine merchants in 1820. At first they operated an Excise Duty Free Warehouse, or Bonded Store, and Bottling Warehouse. Johnnie Walker brought together malts from distilleries all over Scotland blending them at Kilmarnock to produce the famous 'Red Label', which is by far the largest selling whisky in the world. Johnnie Walker & Sons have received the Queen's Award to Industry for Export Achievement on several occasions since 1966.
The company was taken over by the Distillers Company, which itself was taken over by the Guinness Group. In 1997, Guiness merged with Diageo who now include Johnnie Walker amongst its famous name brands.
The Johnnie Walker Distillery in Hill Street, is now Kilmarnock's largest employer.