SINGAPORE. Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail (PRGTR) has introduced its latest ultra-prestige release, The Glenlivet 40 Year Old single malt.
It is one of a number of releases to mark the 200th anniversary of the popular Scotch whisky brand.
The Glenlivet 40 Year Old is bottled at cask strength at 46.9% ABV with an RRP of €5,500 (S$7,111/US$5,238). It is available exclusively to travel retail, initially with Lotte Duty Free at Singapore Changi Airport, before being rolled out to other selected travel retail locations worldwide.
Nurtured for at least 40 years at the Speyside distillery, the liquid is finished in sherry casks to add richness to the flavour.
The Glenlivet 40 Year Old is presented in an elongated bottle inspired by The Glenlivet’s original, 200 year-old glass silhouette and housed inside a copper-coloured presentation container – inspired by the copper stills used at The Glenlivet Distillery.
It also features the distinct profile of founder George Smith and a burst of colour in the form of The Glenlivet’s signature teal, representing the River Livet in the Spey Valley.
To mark the launch the brand owner has partnered with Lotte Duty Free Singapore for a Changi 1st pop-up from 14 December to 9 January.
At the Terminal 1 departures activation travellers can sample expressions from the Triple Cask Matured range as well as The Glenlivet Caskmakers, another travel retail-exclusive launched earlier this year.
Also on display at the Changi 1st pop-up – the second consecutive installation for the brand since September – is one of only 100 bottles released of the oldest expression to date from The Glenlivet: the 55 Year Old first edition of The Glenlivet Eternal Collection. This is designed in collaboration with sculptural artist Michael Hansmeyer.
Visitors to the pop-up can discover their ‘ideal whisky companion’ via an interactive iPad questionnaire. Having answered a few brief questions centred around travel, flavours and moments of consumption, they are then presented with a personalised signature serve recipe and food pairing card, matched to their chosen Whisky Companion.
They can opt to print or send their recommendation to encourage an ‘at-home’ mixology moment before immediately moving over to the luxurious pop-up bar to sample their Whisky Companion and explore more with the brand’s whisky professionals.
Commenting on The Glenlivet 40 Year Old and the Changi 1st airport activation, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail Vice President Marketing Liya Zhang said: “What a standout year it has been for The Glenlivet, rounded off in style with this ultra-prestige, sherry cask finish, slow aged Scotch.
“The Glenlivet is the world’s second best-selling single malt and special releases like this 40 Year Old help our elevation strategy by maximising value share growth in single malts.
“Together with the recently launched 55 Year Old as part of the Eternal Collection, the 40 Year Old sits within Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail’s ‘showcase’ category, one which illustrates how we are achieving our brand vision by constantly innovating and driving premiumisation within the category.”
Changi Airport Group Head of Airside Concessions Chandra Mahtani said: “This unique Changi 1st experience reflects the ongoing commitment by Changi Airport Group, Pernod Ricard and Lotte Duty Free to innovate and grow the single malts category to delight travellers by taking their shopping experience to the next level.
“Travellers can discover the nuances of this prestigious collection and have the rare chance to sample some exquisite liquid from The Glenlivet – including the travel retail exclusive Caskmakers – all in one key location in Changi Airport during this limited-time opportunity as they journey through their travel adventures.”
Lotte Duty Free Singapore Managing Director Jeff Jeong Soongyu added: “It’s a pleasure to be part of a launch as outstanding as The Glenlivet 40 Year Old, especially at Lotte Duty Free Singapore, where we connect travellers from all over the world. This collection brings an exceptional whisky to the forefront, and we are proud to present this exclusive release to our customers.”
Tasting notes: The Glenlivet 40 Year Old
The liquid is finished in sherry casks to add richness to the fruity flavour of The Glenlivet. Acquired from sherry producers in the Jerez region of Spain, these casks are seasoned with a bespoke blend of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherries which imparts notes of homemade strawberry jam and raisins on the nose, followed by dark cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of sweet toasted oak.
The resulting flavour profile features rich notes of poached plums and charred orange, dark cherries, warming spice and braised red apples, culminating in a long, sweet finish, according to the brand owner. ✈
