 | |
A promotional campaign at Jeju Airport is helping to champion the Ballantine’s brand | |
ASIA PACIFIC. To celebrate Scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s strong association with golf, brand owner Pernod Ricard/Chivas Brothers is launching a limited edition Ballantine’s Championship Blend exclusively in Asian duty free.
The 35yo rare blend, of which only 15 bottles are available, is being showcased at Jeju Airport from now until the end of April. The launch coincides with the second Ballantine’s Golf Championship, which takes place in Jeju from 23-26 April.
The blend was created by top European golfer and Ballantine’s Championship defending champion Graeme McDowell and Ballantine’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop. It’s the first time that Ballantine’s – and the Chivas Brothers portfolio – has collaborated with anyone outside the brand’s team to blend a new whisky.
The launch will be supported by a range of travel retail promotions, games and competitions. The campaign runs across the region until May 2009 at airports such as Jeju and Incheon in Korea, plus Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore.
 |  |  |  |
The Ballantine’s limited edition Championship Blend celebrates the brand’s strong links to golf – and will be showcased in key Asian duty free markets | |
One of the limited edition bottles will be presented to the winner of this year’s tournament. Another of the limited edition bottles will be presented to McDowell, while a further one will be auctioned at the tournament’s gala dinner.
Travellers passing through Jeju are also being invited to put their golfing abilities to the test by taking part in an interactive putting game. The winners will receive a Ballantine’s golf marker set and two free tickets to the Ballantine’s Championship.
Ballantine’s golf bags will also be offered to any travellers who purchase Ballantine’s in participating airports. They will also be invited to enter into a draw to win a trip for two to Scotland. The winner will receive a set of TaylorMade golf clubs, which they will be able to use on Scotland’s Dundonald Links golf course, along with exclusive day passes to the 2009 Scottish Open in Loch Lomond, after which they will meet Ballantine’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop at the home of Ballantine’s, Glenburgie Distillery in Speyside.
“We feel that Jeju Airport’s Championship Blend Showcase will provide the ultimate shop window to reinforce Ballantine’s premium credentials,” said Pernod Ricard Asia Duty Free Managing Director Thibaut de Poutier.
Ballantine’s is the leading premium whisky in travel retail, where it retains its position as the number three Scotch. Ballantine’s is the leading premium whisky in Asia, where Korea is the brand’s top market.
The Ballantine’s range in travel retail (non-exclusive)
Ballantine’s Finest, Ballantine’s 12 Year Old, Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, Ballantine’s 21 Year Old, Ballantine’s 30 Year Old, Ballantine’s Pure Malt.
 | |
The limited edition launch is supported by a range of promotions, games and golf-related competitions | |
MORE STORIES ON BALLANTINE’S
[comments]
