CVH Spirits put travel retail-exclusive (TREX) Bunnahabhain The Uncharted Coast in the spotlight at TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes this week.
Comprising four expressions, including two new releases, the range features updated packaging designed to “capture the spirit of Bunnahabhain’s remote and rugged northern shoreline”.
Launched in spring, the collection reflects the brands signature character as the “unpeated, sherried, Islay authority in single malt Scotch”.
The refreshed pack brings a more distinctive look to the collection, helping it stand out in the travel retail space.
Marking a first for Bunnahabhain’s travel retail range, the distillery has introduced Bàgh Garbh (‘Rugged Bay’ in Scots Gaelic), a 13 Year Old expression finished in Amontillado casks. Bottled at 50% ABV, the whisky delivers notes of treacle toffee and spiced orange.
Trì Seudan (‘Three Jewels’ in Scots Gaelic) joins the collection as its second new release, marrying Manzanilla, Fino and Palo Cortado sherry casks. Bottled at 50% ABV, it layers depth and richness with the brand’s distinctive coastal salinity and bright lemon zest.
The line-up is rounded out by two existing bottles, An Cidhe, formerly An Cladach, and Cruach Mhona, a peated expression that is currently the range’s top-performing SKU in travel retail.
Master Blender Julieann Fernandez said, “With The Uncharted Coast, we wanted to stay true to what makes Bunnahabhain distinctive while creating something with a clear point of difference for global travel retail.
“Our core range has a strong association with oloroso sherry casks, so for these new releases I deliberately worked with a broader selection of sherry casks to bring different layers of flavour and character to the range.
“It was important that each expression still felt unmistakably Bunnahabhain – unpeated, naturally coastal and with the depth and richness that comes from careful sherry maturation. The result is a collection that gives travellers something new to discover while remaining firmly rooted in the character of our whisky.”
CVH Spirits Global Head of Commercial Paul Scanlon added: “It’s great to be back at TFWA Cannes and to be here with CVH Spirits. Cannes is always a valuable opportunity to spend time with our partners, hear what’s happening in the market and get a better understanding of what travellers are looking for.
“Over the past year, The Uncharted Coast has given us a strong platform in global travel retail, and the response from both existing and new markets has been really encouraging. We’ve seen there is a clear appetite for Bunnahabhain in the channel, and that gives us a lot of confidence in what we can achieve.
“Our focus now is on building on that momentum – growing our distribution, strengthening our partnerships and continuing to give travellers reasons to discover Bunnahabhain when they shop in duty free. There’s a real opportunity for us in GTR, and I’m looking forward to working with our partners to make the most of it.”
CVH Spirits Head of GTR Lynsey Eades said, “The Uncharted Coast marked an important step forward for Bunnahabhain in global travel retail.
“We listened closely to what our customers and consumers were looking for and created a range that brings the character of Bunnahabhain and its island home to life in a way that feels right for the channel.
“The response over the past year has been really encouraging and has reinforced our belief in the opportunity for Bunnahabhain in global travel retail.
“We want to build on that by giving travellers more opportunities to discover the distinctive character of our whisky and making Bunnahabhain a brand they actively seek out when travelling.”
Each expression reflects the distillery’s coastal setting, its traditional craftsmanship and the character of a single malt produced at the end of a single-track road. ✈
