Bacardi Global Travel Retail has announced the release of Dewar’s Double Agent 16 Year Old, a new limited-time series with a double cask finish, aimed at new whisky drinkers.
Launching initially in May 2022 with Lotte Duty Free at Singapore Changi Airport, the product will be rolled out globally from July 2022.
“Dewar’s is on a mission to disrupt the blended malts category with progressive innovation that includes Dewar’s Double Agent 16 Year Old, to appeal to new whisky appreciators,” the company explained.
Positioned in the premium core range, and retailing at $70 for a 50cl bottle, Dewar’s Double Agent 16 Year Old (40%abv) is described as “notably different” from older and younger expressions, led by its distinct flavour profile.
“With a nod to its name and embracing the innovative and curious side of Dewar’s, the special blend in Dewar’s Double Agent 16 Year Old brings together a surprising duo of casks, in Jerez sherry and Islay malt whisky, to create both sweet and smoky flavour profiles in one,” Bacardi said. “This pairing enhances and amplifies the flavours of dried fruit, citrus, smoke and black pepper, balancing the two bold casks finishes to create the perfect harmony of one blend.”
Selected malt whiskies and finest grain whiskies are aged separately in oak casks for a minimum of 16 years. Following maturation, the whiskies are blended together and aged once again in oak casks. On completion of the signature Dewar’s double ageing process, the whisky takes a “radical new direction” and is separated into two batches.
One batch is then finished in sweet Oloroso sherry casks and the other in smoky, peaty Islay casks. The blending creates two interpretations, depending on the palette – a sweet whisky with secret smoky notes or a smoky whisky with hidden sweet notes.
To arouse curiosity with shoppers, disruptive in-store communications and pack design explains the art of blending and highlights the 50:50 split of the sweet and smoky flavour profiles to provoke conversation around the two opposing notes.
Ignacio Vazquez, Global Head of Marketing, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, commented on the significance of the launch: “As a bold and progressive whisky brand, Dewar’s is on a mission to disrupt the category, creating intrigue and excitement to build on its renowned quality as the world’s most awarded blended Scotch whisky. Dewar’s Double Agent 16 Year Old is head-turning innovation that will especially appeal to new whisky appreciators and help grow the category.”
