CHINA. Times DF and Asiaeuro International Beverage* have joined hands to launch the Balblair 2007 Single Cask Single Malt Whisky – Cask No. 522 at Times DF Haikou Mission Hills Duty-Free City in Hainan province.
Balblair has exclusively customised the small batch of 198 bottles to bear the Times DF label.
The Balblair 2007 Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky launched with Times DF was distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2023. Distillery manager John MacDonald’s signature serves as a hallmark of quality on each bottle.
Asiaeuro, a strategic partner of Times DF (Shenzhen Duty Free), opened its first travel retail global flagship store in the Mission Hills Duty-Free City in Haikou in 2022.
The 65sq m retail space offers shoppers an immersive experience, showcasing whiskies and Cognacs in an atmosphere of modern luxury.
The opening of the company’s first store in the Hainan Free Trade Port signals more in-depth and constructive cooperation between the two parties, Times DF said.
Asiaeuro said the launch of high-end products in Hainan will aid its brands in penetrating China’s duty free market and elevate the relationship with consumers. The company said it is highly confident about prospects for Hainan’s offshore duty free market.
Recently, Times DF and Asiaeuro co-organised Asiaeuro Brand Week, an event that saw the launch of Old Pulteney 38 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky.
The expression is limited to 630 bottles worldwide and is currently only available in China.
Various other events, including an invitational golf tournament, a limited-time liquor sale, a Christmas lighting ceremony, and a joint-themed sunset tea experience, were also held.
“Events like these, alongside the hard work of all parties concerned, are set to raise the profile of high-end consumption in Hainan and contribute to its transformation into an international tourism consumption centre,” Times DF said.
Times DF said it will continue to explore new international retail approaches, promote global brand debuts and the opening building of “first” stores, attract consumers with better products and immersive consumer experiences, and further deepen brand cooperation through innovative events.
It aims to establish a closer and more meaningful resonance between brands and consumers while crafting a stronger brand image for Hainan island-departure duty-free to stimulate fresh consumption and further the high-quality integrated development of tourism and duty-free and the transformation of the modern services industry.
*Asiaeuro International Beverage (AIB) is a joint venture wines & spirits company with its business operations spread across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. AIB was formed by Thaibev’s wholly owned subsidiary International Beverage Holdings Limited and Asia Group Corporation in 2018.
AIB has two operating entities – Asiaeuro International Beverage (Guangdong) Co. in Mainland China and Asiaeuro International Beverage (Hong Kong) in Hong Kong. ✈
