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Edrington Group Travel Retail Manager Keith Bonnington: “The Whisky Maker’s Selection is an outstanding representation of all that is great about The Macallan Fine Oak range.” |
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The Macallan Fine Oak Whisky Maker’s Selection is exclusive to travel retail |
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The Macallan 1851 Inspiration is being introduced to the wider global travel retail channel following a successful launch in East Asia |
UK. The Edrington Group unveiled two exciting Macallan whisky products during the TFWA World Exhibition that aim to take the travel retail spirits category by storm.
The first is a new Macallan Fine Oak expression called Whisky Maker’s Selection – making its exclusive travel retail debut today – and the second is The Macallan 1851 Inspiration.
The Macallan Whisky Maker’s Selection follows the successful 2004 launch of the The Macallan Fine Oak range, and will be exclusively available in global travel retail stores from today, 1 November 2006.
The 42.8%abv product has rapidly received acclaim from one of the whisky industry’s leading independent experts.
Jim Murray, writer of the Whisky Bible, describes the spirit as being “stunning”¦ a dram of exquisite sophistication” and has rated it at 92 out of 100, one of the highest-scoring new entries in the latest version of his comprehensive guide.
At a presentation held during the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes last week, Travel Retail Manager Keith Bonnington said: “The whisky is an outstanding representation of all that is great about The Macallan Fine Oak range.”
The flavour profile is created from the carefully selected ages, each chosen for its individual characteristics and matured in fine oak casks.
Bonnington believes the strength of the product is in The Macallan’s unrivalled expertise in the art of whisky making: “This is a first-class whisky, as one would expect from The Macallan, which captures everything that is positive about the Fine Oak range – the vibrancy of fresh citrus and soft vanilla flavours balanced beautifully with the sophisticated maturity of sweet ginger spice and tropical fruits.”
The Macallan 1851 Inspiration
In addition to Whisky Maker’s Selection, The Edrington Group will make available The Macallan 1851 Inspiration for the first time to the wider global travel retail channel following the hugely successful launch in East Asia.
The bottle is an exact representation of one which was discovered in the archives dating back to 1851, painstakingly recreated with all the flaws and characteristics of the original.
The 41.3%abv whisky is described as light in style and displays characteristics of its time spent in a combination of bourbon and sherry oak.
Said Bonnington: “It reflects a change in style when distillers began experimenting with different cask types and whisky started to be “˜matured’ – rather than simply stored – for longer periods of time to add complexity and flavour.”
The Macallan Whisky Maker’s Selection and 1851 Inspiration will be available from all leading travel retailers at recommended duty free retail prices of around €59 (US$75) per one-litre bottle and €79 (US$101) per 70cl bottle, respectively.
About The Edrington Group and The Macallan
The Edrington Group, based in Glasgow, Scotland, is the owner of The Macallan as well as The Famous Grouse, Highland Park and Cutty Sark whisky brands. Established in 1824, The Macallan introduced the Fine Oak range in 2004, marketed as ‘The Lighter Side of The Macallan’ in a series of quirky press advertisements.
The Macallan is the fastest-growing – and now number two – single malt in global travel retail, according to the International Wine & Spirits Record 2005 Survey of Top Ten Single Malts in Global Travel Retail.
In July 2006 The Macallan Fine Oak won a gold medal in this year’s International Spirits Challenge. The Gold medal was awarded to The Macallan Fine Oak 8yo which is available in Italy.
For details, contact Keith Bonnington, Travel Retail Manager, The Macallan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, tel: +44 7769 758095, e-mail KBonnington@edrington.co.uk Visit www.themacallan.com
MORE STORIES ON THE MACALLAN/EDRINGTON GROUP
Cathay Pacific rocks with The Macallan malt promotion – 06/10/06
Edrington Group names new travel retail manager – 07/06/06
Edrington, Saybrex launch 44yo Glenlassaugh whisky – 14/12/05
