Pernod Ricard and Gebr Heinemann have partnered to launch Chivas Regal Mizunara in European travel retail.
Described as a Scottish whisky with a Japanese touch, Chivas Regal Mizunara is now available in all Heinemann Duty Free & Travel Value shops in Germany, Austria, Italy and Norway as well as in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Budapest and Istanbul.
Heinemann will offer the whisky on an exclusive basis in European travel retail for at least the next six months.
Chivas Regal Mizunara is a blend of Scottish whiskies selectively finished in Japanese oak casks. Pernod Ricard says it is the first whisky to be distilled in Scotland and then spend part of its maturation stored in special casks made of mizunara, the Japanese water oak (mizu = water; nara = oak). The casks are up to 200 years old.
Custodian Master Blender Colin Scott was inspired to create the whisky with an Asian feel following a trip to Japan. The resultant drink offers balanced notes of sweet oranges, pears, vanilla, honey and exotic spices and offers an aftertaste which “combines Scottish complexity and passion with Japanese elegance and subtlety”, according to Pernod Ricard.
Gebr Heinemann Director Purchasing Liquor Tobacco Confectionery and Fine Food Rüdiger Stelkens commented: “It is important that we can offer travellers innovative products from globally strong brands such as Pernod Ricard. For us, Chivas Regal Mizunara is so significant because for the whisky connoisseur it goes beyond the bog standard while still being positioned in an attractive price segment. It is therefore also interesting for whisky novices.”
Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail Chief Operating Officer Franck Lapeyre added: “The exclusive introduction of Chivas Regal Mizunara to European travel retail with Gebr Heinemann follows its success in Japan, and reflects the growing popularity of Japanese whiskies globally.
“Chivas Regal Mizunara is a unique signature blend, from a hand-selection of malts – and just like the whisky, we have hand-selected the perfect partner in European travel retail to showcase this unique product. We look forward to seeing travellers’ and whisky enthusiasts’ delight at getting their hands on such a one-of-a-kind blend.”
The whisky is retailing at Heinemann at less than €50 for a 0.7 litre bottle.
Chivas Regal Mizunara was originally launched in 2013 exclusively for the Japanese market and was later rolled out in restricted quantities to other selected markets.
In global travel retail it has been available at Heinemann Tax & Duty Free at Sydney International Airport since January 2018, among other locations.
