Distell has joined forces with Dufry company World Duty Free for a festival-inspired Bunnahabhain promotion at Glasgow Airport.
The activation aims to offer travellers a taste of the annual Islay Whisky Festival, also known as Feis Ile and dubbed as the ‘Glastonbury of the whisky world’. The event is taking place this week, attracting whisky fans from all over the world.
Bunnahabhain is highlighting two new 23-year-old limited-edition releases: Feis Ile Abhainn Araig and Feis Ile Calvados Cask. Both expressions are available on the global market, with 850 bottles of Abhainn Araig and 140 bottles of Calvados Cask earmarked for travel retail.
Travellers through the airport are encouraged to sample the whiskies and photo opportunities are available in the maritime-themed setting. A gift-with-purchase mug is offered to those buying two Bunnahabhain products and joining the Coterie Club – a free-to-join community of Bunnahabhain fans who receive notifications of new releases and exclusive offers.
Distell International Head of Europe & Global Travel Retail Luke Maga said: “Feis Ile is a coming together of like-minded, passionate individuals who journey to taste exclusive drams, share in conversation and meet new people from the global whisky community.
“We know not everyone is able to make this pilgrimage, and so these limited-edition whiskies allow us to share Feis Ile with the world.
“We are also proud of the fact that Bunnahabhain’s distillery, which forms part of the festival’s attractions, is currently on track to become Islay’s first distillery with a net zero emission distillation process.”
Dufry UK Liquor Product & Promotions Manager Paul Martin said: “Dufry is proud to debut the Bunnahabhain Feis Ile activation at Glasgow Airport and we look forward to expanding to other sites. It has been an honour to see many travellers stop to participate and engage with the activation and revel at the chance to in some way experience the excitement and culture of Feis Ile.”
The non-chill filtered Abhainn Araig (700ml, 50.8% ABV) takes its name from the Araig River on Islay, a vital life source for the distillery. It marries Bunnahabhain spirit that has been matured in ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The bottling has a velvety rich texture, with notes of chocolate, powdered ginger and cigar box on the nose and dark toffee and spicy cinnamon on the palate.
The “sweet and characterful” 1998 Calvados Cask Finish is also non-chill filtered, available in a 700ml bottle with a 49.7% ABV. Finished in Calvados brandy casks, the tawny-coloured liquid offers notes of barley sugar, pear drops and toffee apples on the nose, and green apples, pear candies and toffee on the palate with a lingering floral finish.
