William Grant & Sons is set to launch the Glenfiddich Experimental Series and Tullamore D.E.W XO Rum Cask Finish in Americas travel retail following a good overall regional performance in 2017.
Both will be presented at the Summit of the Americas on William Grant’s booth (100).
Glenfiddich Experimental Series was initially launched in selected domestic markets in September 2016. The range comprises the Glenfiddich IPA Experiment and Project XX.
The Glenfiddich IPA Experiment marks the world’s first single malt Scotch whisky finished in India Pale Ale (IPA) craft beer casks. Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman created the Glenfiddich IPA Experiment in collaboration with a local Speyside craft brewer.
The new single malt is imbued with zesty citrus and tangy hops from the oak casks that had previously held a Speyside IPA. In the process of Glenfiddich crafting a new whisky for the Glenfiddich Experimental Series, a new IPA craft beer was created.
Project XX is the result of an ambitious global malt experiment; a collaboration between Kinsman and 20 whisky experts who worked together to develop the ‘unexpected’ whisky by bringing together 20 single malts.
The Glenfiddich IPA Experiment and Glenfiddich Project XX have a recommended retail price of US$55 and US$60 respectively. A global travel retail-exclusive packaging format is planned for later this year.
William Grant & Sons will also showcase Tullamore D.E.W. XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish, a blended Irish whiskey. XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish is finished in barrels previously used to age Demerara rum. On the nose, the whiskey offers notes of vanilla and oak overlaid with citrus, ripe bananas and delicate spice. To taste, the whiskey has deep caramel and banana notes with dates and raisins.
Tullamore D.E.W. XO Rum Cask Finish is priced at US$35.
William Grant & Sons GTR Managing Director Ed Cottrell said: “We’re back in Orlando for the new look Summit of the Americas after a really positive year for all our brands in 2017. The team in North and South America has worked amazingly hard against a challenging backdrop and it’s really paid dividends.
“Now we’re back with an incredibly exciting programme for 2018 headed by the launch in the Americas of both the Glenfiddich Experimental Series and Tullamore D.E.W. XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish, both of which visitors to our stand in Orlando will be able to sample.”
Regional Marketing Manager Richard Bush added: “2017 saw the Americas region continuing on a very positive trajectory for our brands. Sales continued to rebound in Latin America and results in North America were very encouraging. Despite the unexpected challenges in the region posed by the impacts of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, we managed to increase sales volumes in the region by a full 8% versus 2016.
“This year we are confident that our much-loved brands will continue to outperform their respective categories. In particular, Monkey Shoulder is expected to be a standout in 2018.”
The William Grant & Sons Orlando booth will include a fun, experiential element to allow visitors to experience the brand activations which will be used in key airports this year.
