Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
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The Sophisticated Spirit www.beveragedynamics.com March/April 2014 • Beverage Dynamics 57 With a luxury retail price of $2,600, Glenmorangie 1963 is one of the very limited edition, extra rare single malts recently released. The brand also debuted Glenmorangie Companta, which matures in Grand Cru wine casks. In its latest release, The Dalmore partnered with Chef Daniel Boulud to create a single malt Scotch whisky. The Dalmore Se- lected by Daniel Boulud combines aged stocks from Muscatel, Madeira and Port wine casks, assembling an expression that's a complement to Boulud's cuisine and a nod to his background. With only 1,000 bottles of this 44% ABV limited release, it retails for $200. "We're constantly looking to innovate at the luxury end of the category," Watt said. The latest: The Dalmore 25 Year-Old just hit the U.S. market. "With an RSP of $1,000, this bottling will be extremely limited, with only 190 bottles being released in the U.S.," he said. EXTRA RARE Glenmorangie announced in October that it had uncovered a wood-fi nished whisky distilled in 1963 and bottled in 1987. Deemed the "world's fi rst" of this type of fi nish, only 50 bottles of the extraordinarily rare expression were discovered, and the brand wanted to make those available to its most loyal followers, though only 20 would be available to purchase in the U.S. With a luxury retail price of $2,600, Glenmorangie 1963 of- fers a blast from the past down to its bottle and box details. The commemorative bottle that includes the original label befi ts its 1960s heritage while going all-out in the luxury department. The labels, collar and cork are made of .925 solid silver, and a unique number is engraved on each bottle. Adding to its whisky portfolio in 2014, Diageo announced the launch of John Walker & Sons Odyssey, the fi rst triple-malt Scotch whisky from the House of Walker (Monkey Shoulder married three Speyside single malts to create the fi rst triple-malt Scotch). "A lot of consumers are looking for real quality and true craft and a lot of heritage and that's something Diageo's portfolio hits in a huge way," Radics said. Developed using Sir Alexander Walker's notes, Odyssey blends three rare, handpicked single malts into a single product that retails for $1,100. BOLD BOTTLES Pernod Ricard's Ballantine's, the blended Scotch whisky that's No. 1 in Europe and No. 2 in the world, unveiled new pack- aging accenting a more contemporary look for its Finest ex- pression last July. "The Ballantine's Finest bottle has changed very little over the years, but we recognized a need for the look to be updated, given Ballantine's credentials as a famous brand that leaves an impression," said Peter Moore, Ballantine's Global Brand Director. The bottle redesign coincides with a new marketing campaign for the brand titled, "Stay True, Leave an Impression." Ballantine's wasn't the only one of Pernod Ricard USA's brands to see a new package design. Chivas released a limited edition gift tin for its Chivas 12 blend that has a suggested retail price of $35.99. The Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Patrick Grant was design in part by Grant, who is an icon in menswear design and responsible for reinventing a well-known London tailor. The limited edition tin contains a bottle of Chivas 12 and features four tailored looks with four different accessories that speak to men worldwide. RETAIL RUNDOWN "Scotch consumers are willing to pay for quality and seek selec- tion, discovery and niche offerings," Watt said. "Limited editions, cask strength bottlings and a good selection of core brands are worth having on shelf." The secret is educating consumers on the products. "Our whole proposition, our selling proposition and our marketing The venerable Chivas Regal, from Per- nod Ricard USA, recently launched a Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen gift tin. "SCOTCH consumers are willing to pay for quality and seek selection, dis- covery and niche offerings." - Chris Watt marketing director of premium brands for Whyte and Mackay Americas