International Beverage Group will highlight a new collection of age-statement single malt Scotch whiskies from its Balblair brand at the upcoming TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition (Basement 2, H27).
The expressions, which introduce a new look from the Highland distillery, complement a range being launched in the UK domestic market. The collection has launched with Dufry through UK airports, listing three of the four expressions (12, 15, 17yo) this month, before a global roll-out.
The Travel Collection includes:
- 1-litre 12yo Balblair (46%ABV, RRP £49.99/US$65) matured in American oak ex-bourbon and double-fired American oak casks and offers notes of dried orange, ground spices and vanilla.
- 1-litre 15yo (46%ABV, RRP £74.99/US$100) matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, followed by first-fill Spanish oak butts and offers notes of honey, vanilla and sweet tart.
- 75cl 17yo (46% ABV, RRP £100/US$130) matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and first-fill Spanish oak butts has notes of bitter chocolate and cooked sultanas, root spices and honey. It is exclusive to travel retail.
- 75cl 25yo (46% ABV, £430/US$565) matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and Oloroso Spanish oak, with notes of citrus, chocolate praline, tobacco leaf and blood oranges.
International Beverage Group said the collection is a move away from Balblair’s ‘vintage-only’ approach and marks a “new era” for the distillery.
Balblair Distillery Manager John MacDonald said: “As one of the oldest working distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, Balblair has a long and rich history of crafting premium single malt Scotch whisky. These new expressions are true to the unique characteristics that have made Balblair such a popular brand amongst whisky aficionados.”
International Beverage Sales Director for Global Travel Retail James Bateman added: “These new Balblair expressions are another example of our commitment to building distinctive and desirable premium brands in travel retail.”
| Established in 1790, Balblair is one of the oldest working distilleries in the Scottish Highlands. The distillery sits close to the site of an ancient gathering place for the Picts who lived in what is today eastern and northern Scotland during the Late Iron Age and Early Medieval periods. A standing stone on the distillery’s doorstep is thought to date back to the Bronze Age, some 4,000 years ago. Known locally as the ‘Clach Biorach’ the stone was used to observe the change of seasons by the Picts. They added their own markings to the stone and for thousands of years used it as a gathering place. |
Packaging echoes the distillery’s location and surrounding landscape to feature its Highland water source and the Pictish ‘Z-rod’ carvings etched on the ancient Clach Biorach standing stone located on the distillery’s doorstep.
A larger logo area and new label font has also been incorporated into the design to create greater on-shelf brand visibility.
