HONG KONG, CHINA. Orkney single malt Scotch whisky Highland Park (Edrington Group) has joined forces with Duty Zero by cdf to exclusively launch the second edition of Between You and I: Journeys at Hong Kong International Airport. The release is the brand’s latest collaboration with New York artist Laila Gohar.
From 24 September to 29 October, the travel retail-exclusive (TREX) 17 Year Old single malt (RRP US$165) will be showcased through a high-visibility activation, with the expression also available online ahead of its wider global travel retail roll-out.
The campaign will extend across high-impact digital screens along the traveller journey, with tasting experiences offering the latest expression, alongside a selection of Highland Park whiskies.
Duty Zero by cdf will extend the campaign across its online and social media channels, with additional visibility on Hong Kong Airport’s eShop.
Highland Park Senior Brand Ambassador Martin Markvardsen will also host exclusive tasting sessions and bottle-signing appearances on selected dates in November, offering travellers and collectors an opportunity to engage with the brand and the expression.
The latest edition extends a creative platform developed in conversation with leading figures across food, art and fashion, connecting the whisky’s spicy and smoky flavour profile with Gohar’s playful, surreal and highly imaginative aesthetic.
Taking cues from Gohar’s home city of New York, the 17 Year Old is matured in new Spanish oak casks for pronounced warming spice and subtle smoke, balanced by cinnamon, vanilla sweetness from ex-bourbon casks and deep chocolate notes from sherry-seasoned oak.
As the first person to taste the whisky, Laila Gohar associated its warming spice with the energy of a Moroccan night market.
The whisky’s sweetness and smoke prompted images of a frozen plateau beneath a star-filled sky, while its gentle peat smoke evoked Tokyo backstreets after dark. These references shape the release’s packaging, co-created with Gohar and featuring Silja Goetz’s hand-drawn illustrations alongside layered visual elements drawn from Gohar’s narratives.
The pack also contains a booklet of vignettes written by Gohar, replacing traditional tasting notes with short pieces that explore the whisky through taste and imagination.
Between You and I: Journeys pairs the whisky-making expertise of Highland Park Master Whisky Maker Marc Watson with Gohar’s distinctive creative vision.
Edrington Regional Managing Director Global Travel Retail & Western Europe Kasper Andersen said, “Following the highly positive response to the first Between You and I: Journeys edition, in partnership with Björn Frantzén, we are delighted to unveil the next chapter in a range that introduces a new approach to whisky tasting.
“Duty Zero by cdf has an exceptionally strong whisky offer at Hong Kong International Airport, making them an ideal launch partner for this exciting new single malt that invites exploration and personal adventure.”
Duty Zero by cdf Deputy General Manager Enzo Li added, “Our single malt selection at Hong Kong International Airport remains one of the finest and most extensive in the world, and we are proud to offer consumers world-exclusive access to channel-first bottlings.
“Building on Highland Park’s strong momentum in travel retail, we are pleased to strengthen our collaboration with the brand for the launch of Between You and I Journeys by Laila Gohar.” ✈
