ASIA. Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail has unveiled the Royal Salute Small Batch Collection, an Asia travel retail-exclusive (TREX) release showcasing a series of cask-finished Scotch whiskies.
The collection comprises eight numbered expressions (001-008), aged between 25 and 28 years, each finished in a distinctive cask, ranging from bold rye to premium Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
The Small Batch Collection, featuring Batch 001 and 008, was rolled out across Asia travel retail in July.
The whiskies are sourced from the private reserve inventory of former Chivas Brothers Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, with each expression undergoing a carefully selected cask finish to achieve its intended flavour profile.
The 001: Travel Exclusive Limited Edition, First Fill Rye Cask features a 27 Year Old blend finished in first-fill American rye casks, combining Royal Salute’s signature smoothness with a bolder, spicier profile.
The nose combines homemade strawberry jam, dried apricots and red apples, complemented by soft caramel, coconut sponge cake and blossom honey. The palate features sweet pineapple, mango sorbet and pear crumble, followed by orange chocolate, vanilla and ginger spice, with a long, rich and jammy finish.
The 008: Taiwan Travel Exclusive Edition, First Fill Pedro Ximénez is a blend of malt and grain Scotch whiskies, each aged for a minimum of 25 years before being married in first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Royal Salute describes it as the collection’s most opulent expression, with a velvety, dessert-inspired profile.
The nose reveals aromas of stewed apples, marmalade, raspberry coulis and dark chocolate. The palate develops with flavours of dried apricot, fig and cranberry, followed by crystallised ginger and toasted oak notes. The finish is long, fruity and sweet.
Bottled at 40% ABV, the expressions are presented in 70cl purple and gold porcelain flacons, housed in presentation cases detailing the batch number, distillation date and Hyslop’s signature. ✈
*Announcing The TREX Factor – Reaching B2C + B2B Audiences
The Moodie Davitt Report has launched a breakthrough crossover B2B to B2C video series focused entirely on travel retail-exclusive (TREX) products. {Click on the YouTube Icon to view TREX Travels to the Duty-Free World, the introductory video to The TREX Factor} Filmed by our acclaimed Shenzhen-based Moodie Davitt STUDIO division, the pioneering B2B and B2C crossover series is being shown in multi-lingual form (led by but not limited to Chinese and English) on the Moodie Davitt STUDIO YouTube channel and our WeChat Video platforms. EPISODE 1{Click on the YouTube icon to view Episode 1 on the Moodie Davitt STUDIO platform or here to watch on WeChat with Chinese subtitles} In our worldwide premiere, resident TREX Master Martin Moodie – the world’s leading duty-free shopping commentator and Founder of world-renowned The Moodie Davitt Report, introduces Johnnie Walker Blue Label Xordinaire, aged in former French XO Cognac casks, designed to add an element of smoothness and sweetness. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Xordinaire brings these elements together for an extraordinary finish. And, most importantly, it is a definitive TREX, available only in duty-free and travel retail stores. Click on the YouTube icon to view. EPISODE 2{Click on the YouTube icon to view Episode 2 on the Moodie Davitt STUDIO platform or here to watch on WeChat with Chinese subtitles} In our second episode, resident TREX Master Martin Moodie introduces you to two single malt whiskies from The Macallan, one of the truly famous Scotch whiskey distilleries of the world. Two very interesting variants with very different stories behind them. Click on the YouTube icon to view. EPISODE 3Our third episode features 叠川 The Chuan, which celebrates the vision of French drinks powerhouse Pernod Ricard to create a prestige Chinese malt whisky. Resident TREX Master Martin Moodie is joined on set by Rolls Wang, Retail Manager at Duty Zero by cdf, Hong Kong International Airport. EPISODE 4In this episode we taste two fine whiskies from Japan under the Misaka label – Misaka 12 Years Old Pure Malt PX Sherry Cask and Misaka 12 Years Old Mizunara Cask. Resident TREX Master Martin Moodie is joined by Hong Kong-based Australian entrepreneur, wines & spirits distributor, restaurateur, whisky aficionado and now whisky owner, Harry Kartasis, who introduced the brand to the world. Brands or retailers wishing to participate should contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com |
