Bacardi ups single malt presence with Aultmore

Bacardi has continued its foray into the single malt Scotch whisky category with the launch of two age statements from its Aultmore distillery.

Bacardi is to launch Aultmore 21 Year Old single malt as a travel retail exclusive

Available from November, the launch will feature two Aultmore age statements: a 12-year-old and 21-year-old, which will run as a travel retail exclusive with World Duty Free Group for one year.

Bermuda-based drinks group Bacardi revealed it was to throw its weight behind the single malt whisky category in August this year with the release of a series of expressions from its five Scotch distilleries, including Aultmore.

Malts from other distilleries will include Aberfeldy, Craigellachie, Macduff and Brackla. Every release will carry an age statement and be caramel-free.

The whiskies will be released in phases, with the most affordable rolled out this year and more high-end, rare expressions launched in 2015.

“Since the spring, we’ve been busy launching our range of rare and exclusive single malts as our strategic commitment to bringing innovation, exclusivity and growth to the malts category in travel retail,” said Mike Birch, managing director for Bacardi Global Travel Retail

“We are particularly excited to offer Aultmore on a one-year exclusive partnership with World Duty Free Group, building on the tremendous success of Glen Devron in 2013.”

Founded in 1897, Aultmore is based near Keith in Scotland’s Speyside whisky region.

Speaking to The Spirits Business earlier this year, Bacardi’s global marketing manager for single malts Stephen Marshall said the new single malt range was an attempt to “maximise” Bacardi’s assets.