& It sounds rather strange, but at the origins of this extremely popular Scotch whiskey all over the world is an Italian - Giacomo Justerini, originally from the Italian city of Bologna (Bologna). In 1749 he arrived in England, where, together with a certain George Johnson, he founded a company Johnson&Justerini. By the way, the main reason that forced the Italian to move from warm Bologna to foggy and cold London was love for the opera singer, famous in those years, Italian Margherita Bellino. However, the opera star did not need a young man at all, whose entire fortune consisted only of a pair of more or less tolerable suits and an uncle's notebook, in which the original design of the moonshine was painted. And it is not known how the fate of Giacomo would have developed if he had not met George, who had quite substantial funds, some of which went to founding the company. However, the word "company" is probably too loud for a small shop that, in addition to selling whiskey of its own distillation, also sold alcoholic beverages from other manufacturers (also a big word, probably "moonshine" would be more appropriate). For those times, this was more than enough.
Rejected by Giacomo in 1960, he returns to Italy and his further fate is unknown. But the history of the company he founded, based on his uncle's moonshine, is well known. Quality whiskey was quickly appreciated in the circles of the elite of that time. J&J quickly becoming popular and respected among the English aristocracy, who were known to love to betray. By that time, the company received a royal license and was engaged in the alcohol business quite officially.
A significant event occurs in 1831, when Alfred Brooks buys the company. Then the letter "B" appears in the name - J&B (Johnson&Brooks). So it goes. This benefited the company, gradually it begins to gain momentum, whiskey J&B becomes famous not only on the shores of Foggy Albion, but also abroad. At the beginning of the 20th century, it also came to the United States. Further J&B becomes Frank Sinatra's favorite whisky. And in general, among the admirers of this drink you can meet many famous personalities from all over the world, the same Pablo Picasso, for example. By the way, exactly J&B was one of the first to be banned during the years when the anti-alcohol campaign was rampant in the United States.
To date J&B is the first most popular whiskey in Western Europe and the second most popular in the world (the first is proudly striding Johnnie Walker). In addition to the J&B Rare variety, there are less well-known J&B Reserve, J&B Jet (15-year aging) and the especially expensive J&B Ultima (12-year aging).
Johnson & Brooks is still headquartered in London.