“We know differentiation matters” – Mortlach announces trio of releases in debut TREX collection

Diageo-owned Scotch whisky brand Mortlach is set to launch the Travellers’ Exclusive Collection, a range comprising three aged expressions only available in travel retail. The creation of these travel retail-exclusive (TREX) single malts marks a first for the brand.

The collection, which includes a 14 Year Old, 16 Year Old and 20 Year Old, will initially launch through China Duty Free Group in Hong Kong in July.

The range will then be available across major China Duty Free Group locations including Hong Kong, Hainan, Shanghai and Beijing.

A bespoke activation with Duty Zero by cdf at Hong Kong International Airport and the opportunity to personalise a bottle at the travel retailer’s cdf Malt & More Whisky Museum in Haikou, Hainan province will be among the consumer-facing highlights.

The initial debut in Asia will be followed by a global roll-out of the collection.

Diageo Global Travel highlighted the importance of exclusivity as a driver of purchase in duty free, noting, “Created exclusively for Diageo Global Travel, Mortlach Travellers’ Exclusive Collection meets this demand with three distinctive expressions that combine innovation and a unique flavour experience that offer discerning travellers a new take on luxury whisky.”

Mortlach Master Distiller Dr Craig Wilson crafted three age statement variants of the brand for this collection, each offering an interpretation of the Mortlach’s “signature intensity and depth of flavour”, said the brand owner.

Mortlach Travellers’ Exclusive Collection includes:

• 14 Year Old – Matured exclusively in refill casks (casks used to mature whisky that have already been used one or more times) delivering a “bold, raw, and vibrant expression that captures the uncompromising character of Mortlach”.
• 16 Year Old – A complex, multi-layered whisky finished across four cask types: PX and Oloroso sherry, American oak bourbon, wine and virgin oak casks.
• 20 Year Old – A pioneering release, finished for the first time in rare Scottish oak casks, offering “a distinctive and elevated flavour profile”.

China Duty Free Group Vice President Michelle Sun said: “We are delighted to be the first to introduce Mortlach’s Travellers’ Exclusive Collection to travel retail consumers. Today’s travellers are looking for unique products and memorable discoveries that they can only find while travelling, and this collection delivers exactly that.

“With its distinctive age statements and exclusive availability, we believe it will be a compelling addition to our whisky offering and a strong draw for luxury spirits shoppers across the region.”

Diageo Global Travel Managing Director Andrew Cowan said, “We are excited to be bringing an exclusive Mortlach collection to travellers worldwide, so anyone can experience and immerse themselves in this exceptional malt whisky brand.

“We know differentiation matters and that people are looking for something they can’t get at home when they visit the duty-free fixture. The Travellers’ Exclusive Collection from Mortlach aims to offer just that, a distinctive expression of luxury Scotch for travellers alone.” ✈