Pernod Ricard Asia Duty Free has launched Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Scapa Edition onboard Korean Air and in airports across Asia with particular focuses on Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.
The Scapa Edition is the second of an exclusive collection of limited edition whiskies highlighting the influence of the signature malts that provide the depth to Ballantine’s 17yo. The first was Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Glenburgie Edition which launched in European travel retail and Asia duty free in February 2012.
To celebrate the launch of Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Scapa Edition, the brand is inviting travellers to “˜discover unique character’ through eye-catching premium displays in silver and metallic light blue that echo the design of the bottle and carton.
As part of the displays, travellers are able to interact with the brand through Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Scapa Edition tasting tables positioned in prime locations in the airports. To support the in-store displays, targeted advertorials have been placed in inflight magazines and consumer leaflets have been positioned in the airports to drive travellers into the stores where the new product is available.
“We are thrilled with the success of the Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Series in Asia duty free,” said Pernod Ricard Asia Duty Free Senior Brand Manager for Ballantine’s Kyung Min.
“On the back of the success of Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Glenburgie Edition, the Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Scapa Edition promotion is even more prominent and extensive with listings in additional locations in Asia. It has been designed to be impactful, create “˜talkability’ and to highlight the limited edition nature of the whisky while demonstrating Ballantine’s Signature style.”
The Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Series was specially created by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop. Each limited edition aims to showcase the contribution of one of four distilleries – Scapa, Glenburgie, Miltonduff and Glentauchers – by accentuating their involvement within the limited edition blend.
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The remote Scapa distillery on the Scottish island of Orkney |
Ballantine’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop said: “Ballantine’s 17yo is a blend of more than 40 different malt and grain whiskies from all over Scotland, but Scapa stands out as having played a significant role in the blending process of our master blenders over the years.
“This stunning edition offers the whisky drinker an insight into blending and the role that this malt plays in the original and much-celebrated Ballantine’s 17yo blend. The result, in this case, is a blended Scotch that is bursting with a zesty fruity sparkle of sweet orange and peach flavours but remains incredibly smooth, creamy and luxurious,” Hyslop added.
The presentation of Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Scapa Edition reflects the original Ballantine’s 17yo bottle, with elements of light metallic blue to reflect the “pure, clean and light” qualities of Orkney’s Scapa bay. The carton in which it is housed unfolds to reveal an outline of the islands’ coastline and a panoramic view of the bay.
Ballantine’s 17yo Signature Distillery Scapa Edition (43%abv) is available in limited quantities and has an recommended retail price (RRP) of US$75 in Asia duty free.
Tasting notes
Nose: Smooth, creamy vanilla and tropical fruit flavours of pineapple and coconut, followed by delicate floral and heather notes.
Taste: A fruity sparkle of sweet orange and peach flavours. Smooth, creamy and luxurious.
Finish: Long, sweet, smooth and round.
