Travellers have responded enthusiastically to the launch of Ballantine’s 40 Year Old in Asia travel retail, brand owner Pernod Ricard has claimed.
With just 100 bottles produced, Ballantine’s 40 Year Old has been released in limited quantities to key airports in Korea, Singapore and Macau as well as Korean Air. According to the brand sales within the first week of its launch reached at least half their allocation.
Ballantine’s Senior Brand Manager, Pernod Ricard Asia Duty Free Kyung Min commented: “Ballantine’s 40 Year Old has proved a tremendous success in Asia Travel Retail. In Singapore alone, we sold seven bottles within six days of the travel retail launch.
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Ballantine’s 40 Year Old is in big demand, says Pernod Ricard | |
“The initial response to Ballantine’s 40 Year Old has demonstrated there are huge demands from wealthy world travellers seeking the very best in ultra prestige and luxury Scotch whisky. Ballantine’s 40 Year Old is the perfect brand to satisfy this demand,” he added.
The airports are featuring high-end Ballantine’s 40 Year Old displays in key locations in duty free shops and lounges. In addition, Pernod Ricard Asia Duty Free has also conducted a direct mail campaign to high net worth individuals in the region
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Ballantine’s 40 Year Old, a permanent expression within the Ballantine’s award-winning range, is, according to the brand, a “celebration of craftsmanship and expertise” created to fulfil founder George Ballantine’s aspiration to produce an exceptional whisky “only when the time is right”.
The whisky has been blended by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop using limited amounts of a rare inventory of aged whiskies. Presented in a wooden cabinet, the Ballantine’s 40 Year Old bottle features an etching of the brand’s crest alongside Hyslop’s signature. British silversmith Richard Fox crafted five sterling silver elements to complete the presentation; the stopper, collar, seal, label and base cup are individually hallmarked by the London Assay office, the mark of silver quality for more than 700 years.
Tasting Notes
Ballantine’s 40 Year Old is a 43% ABV blended Scotch with notes of pears in syrup, rich fruitcake, cinnamon and root ginger on the nose. The liquid has a complex and fruity character and a round, smooth and balanced body that imparts flavours of toffee and sweet red apple. The finish is described as significant and long lasting.
