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The US$200,000 Revelation goes on shelf with World Duty Free on Thursday | |
UK. Today saw the beginning of the international roll-out of Bombay Sapphire Revelation, the US$200,000 ultra-luxury gin that is limited to just five decanters worldwide.
Revelation makes its on-shelf debut with World Duty Free at London Heathrow Terminal 5 when the long-awaited new terminal opens this Thursday, 27 March. It will then be launched by DFS Group at Singapore Changi and New York JFK airports, by Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport and by The Nuance Group at Sydney Airport.
A significant part of the proceeds from this unique project will go to The Smile Train, the world’s leading children’s cleft charity that has been widely embraced by the travel retail industry over the past year.
The Moodie Report will be on hand at each location to document a launch that is unprecedented in the industry.
Today at London’s Dorchester Hotel, the Global Travel Retail team from Bombay Sapphire brand owner Bacardi Global Brands and World Duty Free celebrated the launch of Revelation at a luncheon also attended by members of the media. The first decanter – as they are handcrafted, each one of the five has subtle differences – was guest of honour in a glass display case.
Features of the ‘Heathrow T5 Revelation’ include:
– A central sapphire (2.94ct)
– Set in white gold mount for a Baccarat crystal decanter
– Central sapphire set in yellow gold
– Surrounded by ten baguette diamonds (total weight 0.88ct)
– 25 brilliant cut diamonds (total weight 0.24ct)
– 10 brilliant cut sapphires (total weight 0.52ct)
Bacardi Global Brands Managing Director – Global Travel Retail Maurice Doyle told guests: “This is the ultimate expression of design from Bombay Sapphire.
“We’ve been working with design partners* who have been inspired by the brand to come up with this work of art.
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(L-R) Maurice Doyle, Mark Riches and Martin Moodie keep the World Duty Free decanter of Revelation under close guard | |
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(Left) Maurice Doyle talked of a “fantastic” partnership with World Duty Free; (Right) Stirred not shaken: World Duty Free’s Steve McNichol, Mark Aldridge and Mark Riches raise a glass to Thursday’s big launch at World Duty Free in Heathrow T5 | |
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Revelation takes its travel retail bow Click the Podcast icon to listen to Mark Riches and Maurice Doyle talk about a unique US$200,000 spirit of partnership To download: right click on the Podcast icon and select ‘Save Target As’ option Click here for more information, instructions and previous Podcasts |
“It’s going to go on sale in five airports around the world, and I’m very proud to say it’s being launched initially here in the UK, in Terminal 5, and there is no better place for the product to be. Having seen the fantastic work that our colleagues World Duty Free have been doing in Terminal 5, it’s going to be a perfect match.
“When these products are sold, and we are confident they will be sold, we’re also very happy to say there is going to be a significant contribution made in the proceeds to The Smile Train”¦ which is fantastic because while we do a great job here for commercial reasons, if we can make a difference, and help other people who are less fortunate than ourselves, that makes it even more meaningful.”
He also expressed his gratitude to World Duty Free, noting: “Two years ago, when this business unit was created”¦ we talked about how we wanted to work in the spirit of partnership and really World Duty Free have been fantastic. This has been a complex project, very complex for all of us”¦ but I really want to give thanks to the people at World Duty Free who have made this happen.
“Mark [Riches] has been fantastic throughout in terms of the two years I’ve worked at travel retail. I think we’ve built-up something very strong from a partnership point of view. This is just one manifestation of it, and the fact that the World Duty Free team have come down here at the most busy time possible, with everything happening”¦ is a testament to the partnership.”
Riches replied: “Maurice shared our vision very early on when we talked about innovation. We talked about points of difference, we talked about raising the bar materially in Terminal 5, and you [Bacardi] were there very quickly.
“I know it was like an act of faith, because we didn’t have much evidence – there wasn’t much behind what I was saying, apart from ambition and a vision. You joined in that, and I thank you.”
Look out for our reports on all five launches in coming days.
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The last time the five decanters would be seen together before being dispatched to all points of the globe Рthe occasion was a celebratory dinner last week at the Baccarat Ch̢teau in the village of Baccarat in northeastern France |
NEXT STOP: LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 5 (OPENING DAY), WORLDWIDE LAUNCH, 27 MARCH
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*THE KEY FORCES BEHIND REVELATION
The creator: Bombay Sapphire
Bombay Sapphire is claimed to be unlike any other gin or any other spirit. The master distiller for Bombay Sapphire (www.bombaysapphire.com) hand-selects a unique combination of the finest botanicals from around the world.
Based on a secret 1761 recipe, the spirit is delicately infused with the aromatic flavours of 10 botanical ingredients. The result is a complex and refined taste which gives Bombay Sapphire an extraordinary mixability in an endless number of classic and contemporary cocktails. The striking translucent blue Bombay Sapphire bottle reflects the distinctive taste of the spirit inside and is recognised around the world for its inspiring design.
The designer: Karim Rashid
“Design is about the betterment of our lives poetically, aesthetically, experientially, sensorially and emotionally. To change human nature is to change the world,” says Karim Rashid www.karimrashid.com
His internationally acclaimed work has won numerous awards, features in the permanent collections of 16 museums worldwide and covers a broad range of design disciplines. Karim was born in Cairo, raised in England and Canada, and now practices in New York. His association with Bombay Sapphire began when he designed a martini cocktail glass inspired by Bombay Sapphire in 1999. He is a member of the Bombay Sapphire Foundation set up to support contemporary design.
The jeweller: Garrard
The jewellers and silversmiths set the stones that form the centrepiece of Revelation in their in-house London workshops following a tradition of excellence that dates back to 1735, when Garrard www.garrard.com was established.
Garrard is the oldest jewellery house in the world, synonymous with fine craftsmanship and service and was honoured with the title of Crown Jeweller in 1843. Garrard made the crown in 1870 that Queen Victoria wears in the famous image that appears on the Bombay Sapphire bottle.
A sapphire set in each glass stopper by Garrard is the centrepiece of Revelation.
The crystal maker: Baccarat
Founded in 1764, Baccarat www.baccarat.com is recognised globally as the eminent creator of luxury crystal.
With more than 3,000 permanent references, from traditional crystal lighting to stemware, barware and home décor, and with commissions for the likes of Japanese Emperors and Russian Tsars, as well as European royalty, Baccarat is rightly proud of its heritage.
For over 200 years, Baccarat has illuminated royal palaces and presidential residences worldwide. The traditional crystal-making skills are passed down through generations and the deftness of touch, attention to detail and rigorous drive for perfection create a flawless beauty from what begins, incredibly, as sand.
But even this most basic ingredient is carefully sourced, and a closely guarded secret. When you have the secret to perfection, you give nothing away.
ABOUT THE SMILE TRAIN
The Smile Train www.SmileTrain.Org is the world’s largest and most cost-effective cleft charity. 100% of donations goes directly towards programmes. All overheads are met separately.
Since 1999 The Smile Train has provided free cleft surgery to over 400,000 children and trained tens of thousands of medical professionals. It now has programmes and partners in 61 countries.
A simple surgical procedure, costing around US$250, can cure 100% of all clefts, but it is beyond reach for families in many emergent countries.
MORE STORIES ON BOMBAY SAPPHIRE REVELATION
Gearing up for the great Revelation – 20/03/08
Travel retail’s great Revelation unveiled – 08/02/08
