The story of this brand begins with William Walker, a pre-eminent whisky broker of his era who worked with various distilleries in Islay. He was key in developing transport, trade, and marketing of the Island’s produce, even advocating for its trade to American businesses on the repeal of US prohibition in 1933. The firm of T. William Walker & Co welcomed Stanley P. Morrison joined as a trainee whisky broker in the 1930’s, and he eventually married Walker’s daughter, Elizabeth. The couple had two sons, Stanley (known as Tim) and W. Brian, and by 1951 he had founded Stanley P Morrison Ltd, where he was party to many large brokerage transactions with the major blending houses until his death in 1971.
In 1963 a chance lunchtime encounter at a Glasgow restaurant led to the agreement of the purchase of Islay’s oldest distillery, Bowmore (established in 1779), that evening. With that, Morrison-Bowmore was established. The brand eventually owned distilleries such as Auchentoshan as well and oversaw much expansion in Bowmore with new stills, mash tun, washbacks, and ancillary equipment. Family member and managing director W. Brian Morrison (who joined in late 1964) was crucial as the company supplied blending and single malt businesses, and took Morrison Bowmore to such heights that Suntory simply had to snap it up in 1994.
The family’s story did not end there, though. Mac-Talla (which means ‘echo’ in Scottish Gaelic) is the latest chapter in the legacy, a company owned and led by Jamie and Brian Morrison who continue to supply fine Islay whisky to Scotch lovers.