Teeling Whiskey - The Vintage Reserve Collection has made its debut with China Duty Free Group (CDFG) in Hainan on an exclusive basis in travel retail, brand owner Bacardi has announced.
The upscale Irish whiskey launch was supported by a two-month HPP, running to the end of February 2022 at CDFG’s Haikou Duty Free Shop in downtown Haikou.
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| Teeling Whiskey 38yo Single Malt Very Rare Cask |
Teeling Whiskey - The Vintage Reserve Collection is a series of hand-selected casks chosen by the Teeling family for their distinctive characteristics. It comprises three aged expressions offering whiskey enthusiasts some of the finest and rarest Irish single malt whiskeys available.
Retailing at $14,000 for a 70cl bottle, the Teeling Whiskey 38yo Single Malt Very Rare Cask is a limited edition of 200 numbered bottles, 35 of which are available through CDFG in Hainan.
Matured exclusively in rum barrels, the whiskey features earthy, tropical notes, white grapes and caramel. It has a citrus mouthfeel with fruit flavours including ripe citrus, sultanas and raisins and a spicy, dried herb finish. The spirit is bottled at 41.2%abv with Teeling’s signature no chill filtration.
Winner of the Master award in The Irish Whiskey Masters 2021 (run by The Spirits Business) and retailing at $4,000 for a 70cl bottle, Teeling Whiskey 32yo Single Malt Rum Cask was distilled in 1988 and matured in ex-rum casks for 32 years. Limited to 750 bottles, the 46%abv expression has a nose of roasted almonds and green apple with vanilla cream soda and cardamom spice on the palette giving way to a long, complex finish. No chill filtration.
Completing the trio, Teeling Whiskey 2001 Vintage Reserve Single Cask is exclusive to CDFG with only 300 bottles created. Aged for 19 years in an ex-Madeira cask and retailing at $650 for a 70cl bottle, the rich taste profile features toffee apple, dried fruits and rosewater notes with cinnamon and clove spice on the tongue. No chill filtration.
Appealing to a new generation
Vinay Golikeri, Managing Director, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, explains the significance of the launch. “Irish whiskey is still a new and evolving category in China and it’s a very exciting one that is fast gaining a following amongst contemporary whiskey drinkers, especially in first-tier cities. Teeling appeals to the new generation because it is new and different with an accessible style and taste that suits the Chinese palate, underpinned by its award-winning credentials.
“China has the potential to quickly become one of the largest markets for Irish whiskey and this partnership with China Duty Free Group in Hainan is a powerful launchpad for Teeling Whiskey – The Vintage Reserve Collection.”
Jack Teeling, founder of Teeling Whiskey Company, added: “We are extremely proud to release some of the oldest ever bottlings of Irish single malt with our Vintage Reserve Collection. The opportunity with China Duty Free Group in Hainan is the perfect potential to build on our success to date in China, extending our footprint to reach the new wave of whiskey drinkers. Teeling can match and beat any whiskey from around the world as our track record in award wins has shown, and we are excited to take the lead in shaping the bright future we see for the Irish whiskey category in China.”
Charles Chen, President of China Duty Free Group, said: “There is a growing interest in premium, aged Irish whiskey amongst our shoppers from across China and we are honoured to be the first travel retailer to list Teeling Whiskey – The Vintage Reserve Collection. China Duty Free Group is continually enhancing our range to excite and delight our customers and we are very pleased to expand the award-winning range of Teeling in our stores."
