Pernod Ricard-owned brand Ballantine’s has introduced its
pinnacle whisky – the exclusive Ballantine’s 40yo – to customers in Asian
airport stores. Only 100 bottles of this year’s release are available, with 32
of these hitting Asian travel-retail shelves. The first was launched in Seoul
Incheon airport in October, with the rest now being rolled out to other airports
across Asia.
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| Ballantine's 40yo is presented in a wooden cabinet |
The prestigious expression pays tribute to George
Ballantine, founder of the eponymous Scotch brand, who wanted to create an exceptional
whisky. Ballantine’s current Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, has hand-blended
Ballantine’s 40yo, transforming the founder’s dream into reality. In addition,
Ballantine’s invited world-respected British silversmith Richard Fox to craft
the bottle. It features the Ballantine’s crest and signature etched into the
glass and inlaid with delicate gold along with five sterling silver elements:
the stopper, collar, seal, label and base cup.
Each element is individually hallmarked by the London
Assay office, a mark of silver quality for over 700 years, and then carefully
hand-applied to the bottle. Each bottle is engraved with a single number, from
1 to 100, and presented in a dark wooden cabinet.
The launch of Ballantine’s 40yo features stunning visual
displays, designed to echo the expression’s distinctive design and reinforce
its status.
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| The Ballantine's 40yo glorifier at Seoul Incheon airport |
“This is the most exclusive blended Scotch whisky from
Ballantine’s and we are delighted to launch it in Asia travel retail,” said Kyung
Min, marketing manager at Pernod Ricard Asia Travel Retail. “Ballantine’s 40yo
truly is a rare expression and will be of great interest to discerning
travellers.”
The limited-edition expression is available at Seoul
Incheon, Tokyo Narita Terminal 1, Haneda, Chubu Centrair, Hong Kong
International and Singapore Changi airports.
