American whiskey brand Gold Bar made its travel retail debut at the recent IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas, following “significant” international interest in the brand.
Established in 2013, San Francisco-based Gold Bar said it decided to attend the IAADFS show in order to support its international growth which coincides with the start of distribution across the USA this spring. According to the brand, it has received “substantial” interest from retailers in Asia and Europe.
In 2015, Gold Bar unveiled new packaging which is beginning its international roll-out this year through travel retail.
In Orlando, the company launched its 50ml mini format of Gold Bar Gold Finished Whiskey. The product is described as “the perfect gift for those who know that great things come in small packages”.
Gold Bar Whiskey President Elliott Gillespie said that travel retail “immensely” fits in with the brand’s international growth plans.
Good things come in small packages: the 50ml mini bottles were presented at the IAADFS show |
Following an “outstanding” IAADFS show, Gold Bar expects that it will be in +50% more markets than first predicted |
“Gold bar is a luxury a brand that offers consumers both a premium American whiskey and a beautiful luxury package with authentic American craftsmanship. The combination of great spirit and package appeals to a large segment of travellers; whiskey enthusiasts, gift giving and souvenirs. We forecast travel retail to represent 25% of total company sales through the release of new channel-exclusive formats.”
“The IAADFS show was outstanding. It exceeded all expectations in terms of access to key decision makers and positive product feedback from industry experts. Based on the show we expect to be in +50% more markets than we had previously forecasted for 2016,” Gillespie added.
Gold Bar was recently awarded a double gold medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. All 21 judges gave the whiskey their top score (96 points or better out of 100) over the four-day blind tasting judging process.
The company also won gold for its package design in the Packaging Competition, also held in San Francisco. This award follows a Best in Show award for Packaging and Design at the Denver International Spirits Competition, which took place in March.
Gold Bar’s emblem, ‘Lady Fortune’, was illustrated by hand in the scratch board method by legendary American illustrator Steven Noble. It was then hand cut into a minting die to be minted at the oldest private mint in America, operating since 1835. A solid brass collector grade coin is included with every Gold Bar bottle. Gold touches the spirit while it is blended in California to pass on good fortune to others.
