SCOTLAND. Ian Macleod Distillers has launched its first Edinburgh Gin airport boutique at Edinburgh Airport in partnership with Avolta.
Situated within the World Duty Free store in the brand’s historic birthplace, the 20sq m boutique mirrors the architecture of Edinburgh Gin’s upcoming distillery and visitor centre, due to open later this year at The Arches near Waverley Station in central Edinburgh.
Drawing inspiration from the distillery, design elements include stone walls, arched wall bays and black panelled cladding. At the heart of the boutique is a bar manned by trained staff offering immersive experiences such as nosings and tastings across the range of expressions along with a variety of sensory encounters.
The Edinburgh Gin Boutique enhances the brand’s notable presence at the airport, complementing its signature bar at Plaza Premium’s airside executive lounge, which opened in 2022.
Ian Macleod Distillers Global Travel Retail Director William Ovens said: “We are proud to unveil The Edinburgh Gin Boutique at Edinburgh Airport, which was developed together with global leading travel experience player, Avolta.
“We are thrilled to introduce this wonderful retail experience, which is a major milestone for Edinburgh Gin and reflects the strategic importance of travel retail to the brand. Edinburgh Airport is one of the top outlets in the world for Edinburgh Gin sales, so we are confident the boutique will be a real success.”
He added: “Edinburgh Gin plays a leading and pioneering role in the gin category and this exciting collaboration with Edinburgh Airport and Avolta showcases Edinburgh Gin’s flavour, craft and creativity to travellers in our home city.”
The Edinburgh Airport Boutique showcases a range of full-strength gins and gin liqueurs, as well as an exclusive full-strength flavour crafted specifically for Avolta and its UK World Duty Free outlets.
The Key Lime & Ginger expression marks a pioneering combination in the gin category, replacing the award-winning Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn Gin as Avolta’s exclusive flavour. Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn will continue to feature across Avolta stores as well as being more widely available throughout travel retail.
Edinburgh Gin will also launch an airport-exclusive gin at the boutique in the coming months.
Avolta Global Category Head of Liquor David de Miguel said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Ian Macleod Distillers and Edinburgh Gin with the opening of this new boutique; it is a natural development for this top-performing brand in Edinburgh Airport, which links so well to the city and airport.”
Edinburgh Airport Chief Commercial Officer (Non Aero) Gail Taylor said: “As an airport, it’s important that we showcase the very best Scotland has to offer and you could say this new boutique is just the tonic.
“Working with and promoting local brands to our passengers is something we place focus on through our Greater Good sustainability strategy and we are proud of our long-standing links with Edinburgh Gin.
“We’re sure this boutique will be a big hit with passengers, whether they are looking to pick up a gift for friends or family or treat themselves to something special as they jet off on their travels.”
Edinburgh Gin’s refreshed packaging is also making its travel retail debut at the boutique, which conveys its Filled with Wonder positioning and captures the distinct character of each premium gin highlighting the range’s use of natural flavours.
The new bespoke bottle incorporates 49% recycled glass, which will increase as glass-making technology advances. The bottle’s design features recyclable aluminium capsules and fully recyclable FSC-certified paper labels. Additionally, all secondary packaging has been eliminated across the core range. ✈️
