Spirits company Pernod Ricard held its annual #ConvivialChristmas celebrations at The Libertine London on 1 December, highlighting key festive launches from its portfolio.
The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan-Gillies was on location for the annual holiday media event, which brought together the spirits company’s domestic and travel retail teams for the first time since the pandemic.
Guests were able to enjoy immersive tasting experiences from The Glenlivet and Chivas Regal Scotch whisky, Greasy Fingers wine and explore Pernod Ricard’s Bar World of Tomorrow programme.
Guests were able to sample The Glenlivet’s exciting new cocktail innovation, The Glenlivet Twist & Mix New Manhattan. The pre-mixed blend offers a premium crafted cocktail experience without the need for complex recipes and bar equipment. Drinkers simply need to twist the cap to drop the infusion into the liquid for a hassle-free Manhattan coctail.
In a dedicated Chivas Regal alcove, Chivas Regal Brand Ambassador Rhys Wilson took guests on an intimate tasting session of the brand’s Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Gold Signature, Chivas Regal XV 15 Year Old and Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Wine Cask Series. The latter, a global travel retail exclusive, was aged in Grand Cru Margaux casks giving it a strong, spicy and fruity flavour profile.
Greasy Fingers, Pernod Ricard’s newest wine acquisition, held a special tasting which paired its Luscious Red and Big Buttery Chardonnay wines with greasy burgers. The brand challenges traditional perceptions of wine and food pairings and is designed to target younger Millennial wine drinkers.
The Bar World of Tomorrow is Pernod Ricard’s global training programme which has trained over 6,400 bartenders globally. The programme is dedicated to growing a community of bartenders who are committed to fostering a sustainable and responsible bar culture around the world. Guests at the event were able to take a quick Bar World of Tomorrow masterclass and experience the programme first-hand.
Other memorable brand collaborations, such as the Ballantine’s x Crosley project, Royal Salute x Richard Quinn bottle and AGR x Chivas sportswear capsule collection, also featured in the event.
Scotch whisky house Ballantine’s, record player company Crosley and hip-hop artist RZA have released a bespoke C6 record player and Montero speaker in celebration of hip hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023. As reported, Royal Salute has tapped British fashion designer Richard Quinn to create a special bottle for its 21 Year Old expression.
London-based luxury knitwear brand AGR has partnered with Chivas Regal to launch a colourful three-piece football capsule collection that embodies the Scotch whisky house’s mission to ‘Raise the Game’.
The event was attended by top management from Pernod Ricard including Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail CEO Laurent Pillet who welcomed guests by saying: “It is wonderful to reconnect with everyone on this Christmas lunch, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. In my new role as CEO of global travel retail, I’d like to invite everyone to sample the Chivas 18 Year Old Wine Cask Series. This travel retail-exclusive expression is finished in Margaux casks and is delicious.” ✈
