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11-15 October, 2021
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EXPO News

Diageo

11/092020

‘Rare by Nature’ – Diageo unveils the 2020 Special Releases Whisky Collection

News

Diageo has launched the 2020 Special Releases Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection, inspired by the theme ‘Rare by Nature’.

Curated by Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson the exclusive selection comprises eight cask-strength single malt Scotch whiskies, drawn from some of Scotland’s most interesting distilleries.

The highly anticipated annual collection once again explores unusual age points and experimental maturation techniques.

It embraces Diageo’s first-ever release finished in pot-still Caribbean rum casks.

The encore theme highlights the extraordinary nature that surrounds each distillery, with each whisky visually brought to life through intricate illustrations that decorate the bottles.

Dr Wilson said: “I’ve created this year’s Special Releases Collection from some of my favorite distilleries across Scotland, with whisky enthusiasts in mind.  For those who enjoy spicy flavours, my recommendation would be to try our Cardhu, and for those who favour rich, intense and smooth flavours my choice would be Mortlach 21 year old.  If you are curious about discovering something very rare, the Pittyvaich – the single ghost distillery in our Special Releases Collection – this year is an unforgettable dram.”

Rare by Nature: The Diageo 2020 Special Releases Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection offers eight vibrant expressions

This one of a kind line-up highlights the diversity of Diageo’s most-treasured reserves maturing in Scotland, the company noted.

The 2020 Special Releases collection will be available in limited quantities from specialist Scotch whisky retailers, including selected airport duty free stores and malts.com this Autumn. Target markets include the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and certain Asian countries.

The 2020 Special Releases collection

Cardhu 11-Year-Old

ABV: 56.0%
Region: Speyside
Cask: From refill, new, and ex-bourbon American oak
Limited quantities worldwide
RRSP £85 (US$113)

Cragganmore 20-Year-Old

ABV: 55.8%
Region: Speyside
Cask: From refill casks and new fresh-charred casks.
Limited quantities worldwide
RRSP £130 (US$173)

Dalwhinnie 30-Year-Old

ABV: 51.9%
Region:  Highland
Cask: From refill hogsheads
Number of bottles available: 6,978
RRSP £550 (US$732)

(Left to right) Cragganmore 20-Year-Old; Cardhu 11-Year-Old; Dalwhinnie 30-Year-Old

Lagavulin 12-Year-Old

ABV: 56.4%
Region: Islay
Cask: From refill American oak casks
Limited quantities worldwide  
RRSP £125 (US$166)

Mortlach 21-Year-Old

ABV: 56.9%
Region: Speyside
Cask: From Pedro Ximenez & Oloroso Sherry seasoned casks
Number of bottles available: 7,692
RRSP £575 (US$765)

Pittyvaich 30-Year-Old

ABV: 50.8%
Region: Speyside
Cask: From first fill ex-bourbon casks
Number of bottles available: 7,056
RRSP £400 (US$532)

(Top left to bottom) Lagavulin 12-Year-Old; Mortlach 21-Year-Old; Pittyvaich 30-Year-Old

Talisker 8-Year-Old

ABV: 57.9%
Region: Isle of Skye
Cask: From pot-still Caribbean rum casks.
Limited quantities worldwide
RRSP £90 (US$120)

The Singleton of Dufftown 17-Year-Old

ABV: 55.1%
Region: Highland
Cask: Matured only in refill American oak hogsheads.
Limited quantities worldwide  
RRSP £110 (US$146)

(Left) Talisker 8-Year-Old; (right) The Singleton of Dufftown 17-Year-Old

Footnote: As reported, Diageo Global Travel is a Platinum Partner for the highly anticipated Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.

The maker of Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Tanqueray, The Singleton and an eclectic range of brands across multiple categories will be showcasing its spirits category strategy at the Expo. “Diageo will share the consumer-centric growth levers that can drive market share and premiumisation, as well as plans to accelerate the development of an omnichannel retail ecosystem,” the company said.

Read more
11/092020

Ghost distilleries and history revisited – Diageo releases two ultra-rare Scotch whiskies into travel retail

News

Diageo is to release two exceptional limited-edition whisky releases from Johnnie Walker and ghost distillery Port Ellen in global travel retail.

A limited number of bottles of the recently launched Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve 40-Year-Old and Port Ellen 40-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky will be made available in select airport stores from October 2020. The UK (domestic) RRP is £15,000 (US$20,000).

As reported, Johnnie Walker unveiled Master’s Ruby Reserve earlier this year to celebrate Master Blender Dr Jim Beveridge’s 40th anniversary at Diageo. Beveridge crafted the blend from some of the finest Scotch in the Johnnie Walker reserves, selecting eight “exceptionally rare” whiskies that evoked his earliest whisky-making memories. These have married to create a unique Scotch that provides a window into the Master Blender’s distinguished career, Diageo said.

Spirit world: Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve brings ghosts to life

Dr Beveridge, working closely with his team of whisky makers, chose whiskies from the ‘ghost’ distilleries of Cambus, Carsebridge, Pittyvaich and Port Ellen, all balanced with highly aged expressions from Talisker, Royal Lochnagar, Glendullan and Cragganmore. All the whiskies used to create Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve are at least 40 years old. Just 398 bottles are available worldwide.

Port Ellen revealed its own rare whisky in May, Port Ellen 40-Year-Old: 9 Rogue Casks. This is one of the oldest and rarest releases ever to be made available direct from the distillery, and the second release in the collectable Port Ellen Untold Stories Series that explores the story of the distillery’s past ahead of its return. The UK (domestic) RRP is £6,500 (US$8,700).

Port Ellen was distilled for just 16 of the last 90 years, and no casks have been produced since its closure in 1983, making the original dwindling stocks finite and rare.

Rare and valuable: Port Ellen was distilled for just 16 of the last 90 years, and no casks have been produced since its closure in 1983

Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson selected nine special casks from the original stock, each identifiably Port Ellen but with its own defining character. These were blended to showcase “a new dimension of Port Ellen unlike any before”, Diageo said.

“With only 1,380 bottles available worldwide it is one of the last chances to own a part of Port Ellen’s history,” the company commented.

Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve 40-Year-Old

RRP UK (duty paid): £15,000 (US$20,000)

Bottle size: 70cl

ABV: Cask Strength 43%

Tasting Notes (Source: Diageo)

  • Nose: Rich layers of treacle toffee from Cambus, caramelised apple and autumnal soft fruit from Pittyvaich, before waves of dark chocolate, plums and cherries slowly unfold. Notes of dark fruits from Royal Lochnagar and Cragganmore combine with pink peppercorn spice and sea salt.
  • Palate: Incredibly full-bodied and rich. Initial layers of Talisker and Port Ellen’s warming maritime smoke combine with cocoa nibs, perfectly balanced by the berries and currants of Glendullan and Carsebridge. Notes of caramelised apples, pears and maraschino cherries.
  • Finish: A long lingering finish of pepper and demerara sugars.

Port Ellen 40-Year-Old

RRP UK (duty paid): £6,500 (US$8,700).

Bottle size: 70cl

ABV: Cask Strength 50.9%

Tasting Notes:

        • Nose: Delicate, grassy/herbal, burnt tangerine skin, very mild smoke at cask strength, opens up a little with the addition of water, crème caramel/roasted coffee, red fruit compote, ripe peach skin
        • Palate: Much more pronounced bonfire smoke, pipe tobacco, leather, wood spice
        • Finish: Long, wispy smoke finish

    Footnote: As reported, Diageo Global Travel is a Platinum Partner for the highly anticipated Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.

    The maker of Johnnie Walker, Port Ellen and an eclectic range of brands across multiple categories will be showcasing its spirits category strategy at the Expo. “Diageo will share the consumer-centric growth levers that can drive market share and premiumisation, as well as plans to accelerate the development of an omnichannel retail ecosystem,” the company said.

Read more
11/092020

Diageo Global Travel signs as Platinum Partner for Virtual Travel Retail Expo

News

Diageo Global Travel has become a Platinum Partner for the highly anticipated Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.

As a global leader in beverage alcohol – and maker of Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Tanqueray and The Singleton among other global giants – Diageo will be showcasing its spirits category strategy at the conference.

“Join Diageo to hear about their strategy to make the spirits category a major growth driver in travel retail,” the company said. “Diageo will share the consumer-centric growth levers that can drive market share and premiumisation, as well as plans to accelerate the development of an omnichannel retail ecosystem.”

Diageo Global Travel Managing Director Eduardo Barp commented: “We are delighted to partner with Moodie Davitt for their first-ever Virtual Travel Retail Expo. As an industry facing great challenges this year, it is important that we come together, support each other and work on solutions to sustainably grow the travel retail business once again.

“We are looking forward to sharing our expertise in innovation, taking our customers through our new strategic approach and hearing from other industry leaders on the exciting plans that lie ahead for travel retail this year and beyond.”

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted 100 exhibitors representing a stellar line-up of industry leaders as well as many exciting independents

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said, “We welcome Diageo to our pioneering Virtual Travel Retail Expo. The company brings a roll-call of famous global brands to the event and a true global leader’s perspective on how the travel retail channel must evolve in order to prosper during and post the COVID-19 era.

“We’re delighted with the stellar line-up of brand companies that the Virtual Expo has attracted, and Diageo represents the icing on the cake as we move closer to this landmark occasion.”

Diageo boasts one of the world’s great brand portfolios, embracing household names such as Johnnie Walker and Baileys, and renowned connoisseur’s choices such as the outstanding Islay single malt whisky Lagavulin

About the Virtual Travel Retail Expo

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is a pioneering virtual trade show and symposium, complete with Exhibition Hub, Knowledge Hub (Symposium and Workshops) and Experience Hub (an immersive engagement zone).

As evidenced by an outstanding line-up of exhibitors, it is a premium event for a premium audience. The unique five-day ‘live’ Expo takes place on 12-16 October and is set to be the defining travel retail industry happening in 2020.

Registration is free for buyers, exhibitors and preferred media partners. Dubai Duty Free, the world’s biggest single airport travel retail business, is presenting those registered Expo visitors with multiple prospects to win grand weekly prizes in its Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws (click here to register).

 

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