​Scottish Rugby celebrates Johnnie Walker milestone

Today, as Scotland prepare to take on Italy in the opening game of the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup, Scottish Rugby is paying a special tribute to its partner Johnnie Walker and its bicentenary.

As the Official Whisky of Scottish Rugby, the Johnnie Walker 200th logo will proudly feature on the back of the Scotland shirts, marking 200 years of the world-famous Scotch.

Dominic McKay, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Rugby, said: “It is a landmark year for Johnnie Walker and therefore fitting we can mark this special 200-year milestone as Scotland begin the Autumn Nations Cup.

“Our partnership with Johnnie Walker brings together two like-minded Scottish brands, showcasing the very best of Scotland – both at home and abroad.

“The support we have had from partners like Johnnie Walker and Diageo during this challenging period has been remarkable, so we are proud to carry their iconic logo on the Scotland shirt during the Autumn Nations Cup.”
Dominic McKay, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Rugby

Scottish Rugby and Johnnie Walker have proud and enduring histories, with the Scottish Rugby Union formed in 1873 and Johnnie Walker marking 200 years since its founder, John Walker, opened the doors to a small grocery store in Kilmarnock.

As well as their rich heritage, both Scottish Rugby and Johnnie Walker embody the boundary-pushing spirit at the heart of each brand, with the partnership championing progress and opening up both the sport and Scotch whisky to a new generation of fans.

Ewan Andrew, Diageo President of Global Supply & Procurement and Chief Sustainability Officer said: “It’s an exciting time for Scottish Rugby as the team return to the international stage and get their Autumn Nations Cup campaign underway, and we’re extremely proud to be backing the team in what has been a challenging year for sport.

“As the Official Whisky of Scottish Rugby, we look forward to supporting the Scotland Team throughout the season, with the partnership another fitting celebration in Johnnie Walker’s 200th year.”