Top 16 spirits at TFWA Cannes 2014
The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference is back for its 30th year, with a stellar line-up of new spirits from Scotch to liqueurs and flavoured vodka searching for glory in travel retail.
Some 470 exhibitors will showcase their products, including spirits, at TFWA Cannes this monthIt’s a landmark year for the TFWA Cannes. Not only is this the biggest show in the event’s history, with over 6,300 delegates expected to descend on Cannes on the French Côte d’Azur, 2014 also marks the exhibition’s 30th anniversary.
Held once again at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, this year a week later than usual on 27-31 October, the annual travel retail spectacular is the highlight event of the year for brands establishing or growing a presence in the competitive sector.
Brand owners have been working feverishly over the past few months to ready their portfolios for showcasing at TFWA Cannes, with many choosing to use the prestigious annual event to launch products that will be exclusive to travel retail.
“The build-up to this major annual event is always intense,” says Patrick Bouchard, TFWA vice-president. “It is vital to have the product, the packaging and the sales pitch all perfect because if you miss this boat, you miss the best opportunity to do business in duty free and travel retail.
“The build-up to this major annual event is always intense. Each brand wants to showcase its most innovative and exciting products and indeed many of them choose this platform to launch world ‘firsts’ and travel-retail exclusives.”
Competitive arena
Show organisers are expecting over 470 exhibitors at the event, who will all be competing for the attention of travel retail buyers, distributors and press moving through the show’s various “villages”.
To mark its 30th year, TFWA Cannes will take a look back at the past three decades during its World Conference on Monday 27 October, which will feature keynote speeches from Air France-KLM chairman and CEO Alexandre de Juniac; General Colin Powell, 65th US Secretary of State; Andrea Guerra, CEO of Luxottica; and Erik Juul-Mortensen, president of TFWA.
Don’t miss the birthday reception held immediately after the conference in front of the Palais, courtesy of the city of Cannes.
Meanwhile, this year’s workshop line-up will focus on Latin America, the threat of counterfeit goods and inflight sales trends. Wander through the exhibition’s villages and meet new business contacts, or if it’s new spirits products you’re after, we’ve taken the graft out of your search and listed the most interesting launches at TFWA Cannes 2014 on the following pages.
As always, The Spirits Business will be hosting its Travel Retail and Vodka Masters Beach Party on Monday on the beach outside the Carlton Hotel. Make sure you RSVP to daisy@thespiritsbusiness.com to gain entry. This year’s party will also be extra special, as we reveal the winner of the inaugural Travel Retail Spirits Buyer of the Year Award.
COMPANY: WILLIAM GRANT
STAND:02, GOLDEN VILLAGE
PRODUCT: DRAMBUIE
Continuing its communication of the Taste of the Extraordinary campaign, Scottish whisky liqueur Drambuie is unveiling new, limited edition and vibrant monochrome zig-zag bottle.
Available in one-litre bottles, the shrink-wrapped bottle will be available to purchase just ahead of the Christmas period in key airports around the world, with an exclusive release in the UK, Spain, Asia and Switzerland in October.
This is the first time visitors to the show will be able to experience Drambuie as part of William Grant& Sons’ portfolio, following their purchase of the brand this summer.
WHAT THEY SAY: “The A Taste of the Extraordinary campaign was initially designed to take Drambuie in a bold new direction, introducing the spirit to a new generation of drinkers; the unveiling of this limited edition bottle in global travel retail will achieve this.”
COMPANY: RÉMY COINTREAU
STAND: 1A, MARINE VILLAGE
PRODUCT: RUSSIAN STANDARD ST. PETERSBURG EDITION VODKA
Russian Standard will unveil its latest limited edition sleeve in the form of a tribute to the “Venice of the North”, St. Petersburg.
The limited edition, which will be available exclusively to travel retail stores worldwide from November, is opulently decorated with a design inspired by the city’s famously artistic heritage.
It will be the second Russian Standard edition to feature a unique special edition sleeve.
WHAT THEY SAY: “This St. Petersburg Limited Edition sleeve will target the gifting opportunity and build on the brand’s overall success.”
COMPANY: UNDERBERG AG
STAND: K19, RED VILLAGE
PRODUCT: UNDERBERG GIFT TIN 2015
The 10th annual Underberg Gift Tin pays homage to the cultural destination of the Netherlands, with each side depicting the individual charms of its four major cities and provinces: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Aalsmeer and Zeeland.
Now something of a collectors’ item since its launch in 2005 with the depiction of Italy, the tin comes filled with 12 miniature bottles of Underberg German bitter.
WHAT THEY SAY:
“Since its launch in 2005, which featured an Italian theme, the Underberg gift tin each year has showcased designs and culinary tastes from a specific country. The new 2015 edition is dedicated to one especially charming country: the Netherlands!”
COMPANY: LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET
STAND: G54, YELLOW VILLAGE
PRODUCT: LABEL 5 GOLD HERITAGE
The latest release from Label 5 blended Scotch whisky is Label 5 Gold Heritage, a unique blend of peaty malts and grains, some of which are aged for more than 20 years.
Created with the same packaging design cues as Label 5 Black, the new expression is a more premium entry with an RRP of US$40. It will be unveiled at TFWA Cannes, and rolled out to the US followed closely by China and then Australia.
WHAT THEY SAY: “Building on the traditions of Label 5, we have hand-selected whiskies from different ages and casks which marry together to produce a wonderfully balanced blend. The result is an exceptionally smooth whisky loaded with fruit, spice, warm vanilla oak and subtle smoke, which offers a unique taste experience.”
COMPANY: INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE
STAND: S2, MARINE VILLAGE
PRODUCT: ANCNOC BLACK HILL RESERVE AND BARROW
International Beverage is giving its Highland single malt Scotch whisky anCnoc a travel retail focus this year with two new no-age-statement launches in the form of Black Hill Reserve and Barrow.
Black Hill Reserve, named after Knockdhu Distillery, which means black hill in Gaelic, is matured solely in first-fill American oak casks, and is described as having notes of citrus, green apples, ground spices and pear drops. Barrow meanwhile will be the first peated expression of anCnoc available in travel retail.
Both expressions are available in one-litre bottles with RRPs of £39.99 and £49.99 respectively.
WHAT THEY SAY: “It’s very exciting to re-launch the anCnoc brand for 2015. These 2 exceptional new anCnoc expressions further demonstrate our portfolio commitment to global travel retailers and the duty free channel.”
COMPANY: STOLI
STAND: D3, BLUE VILLAGE
PRODUCT: STOLI NIGHT EDITION 2014
SPI Group is unveiling its second limited Night Edition of Stolichnaya Vodka, which visibly changes when chilled to 15°C (60°F).
The one-litre frosted glass bottle has elements printed in temperature-activated ink, making designs associated with partying and celebration come to life once the bottle is chilled enough.
The bottle will be introduced to select airports at the end of this year with a further roll out from January 2015. Its introduction will be supported by “spectacular” point-of-sale material and activations.
WHAT THEY SAY: “Our sales increased by 350% over the same period last year, with Night Edition accounting for 60% of the increase. With such positive sale figures, we are very confident that this new, innovative edition will be just as popular – if not more.”
COMPANY: UNDERBERG AG
STAND: K9, RED VILLAGE
PRODUCT: AMARULA GOLD
South African drinks group Distell launched its clear, golden-coloured Amarula Gold during 2014, and will showcase the new innovation for the first time at TFWA this year.
The 30% abv spirit, made using the wild-harvested fruit of the marula tree, the liqueur builds on the success of its umbrella brand, Amarula Cream.
WHAT THEY SAY: “Amarula Cream is globally a very popular product. It is the second biggest cream liqueur worldwide, one of Impact Databank’s top 100 premium spirit brands and one of the most frequently purchased spirit items in travel retail. Given Amarula’s brand pull, we were anticipating widespread interest in Amarula Gold but nowhere near the levels we’ve seen.”
COMPANY: LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET
STAND: G54, YELLOW VILLAGE
PRODUCT: BARDINET XO BRANDY
New to La Martiniquaise-Bardinet’s French brandy portfolio this autumn is a Bardinet XO Grand Cru Wine Cask Finish, a limited edition that’s being unveiled at TFWA Cannes.
Matured for at least six years in oak casks, the brandy is given a further maturation in Bordeaux grand cru wine casks from Saint-Julien (Médoc), before being bottled at 40% abv.
The expression joins the existing VSOP and XO editions in the Bardinet range, which has been growing above 30% year-on-year since 2010.
WHAT THEY SAY: “An incredible depth of flavor combining fruit, gentle spices and hints of oak. A well-balanced nose, aromatic persistence and mature fruit and oak notes create a perfect taste experience.”
COMPANY: ILVA SARONNO
STAND: K1, RED VILLAGE
PRODUCT: DISARONNO WEARS VERSACE
Following the success of its partnership with fashion house Moschino in 2013, Italian liqueur Disaronno is teaming up with Versace for its latest release in travel retail this October.
The brand, owned by Ilva Saronno, expects its Versace-designed bottle to match or exceed the 1.5 million bottle sales achieved by the Moschino edition last year.
WHAT THEY SAY: “Versace is one of the world’s leading international fashion houses, with its iconic logo instantly recognisable on fragrances, clothes and accessories. We see this collaboration as very positive for Disaronno in our ongoing aim to stay fresh and innovative.”
COMPANY: IAN MACLEOD
STAND: L7, RED VILLAGE
PRODUCT: SMOKEHEAD ROCK EDITION
Scottish distiller Ian Macleod will be unveiling a new expression of “rock n’ roll” whisky Smokehead at TFWA Cannes.
Smokehead Rock Edition, which will be a travel retail exclusive, comes presented in a skull-adorned bottle embossed and debossed to create an interesting 3D effect.
Bottled at 44.2% abv, the single malt Islay Scotch whisky is described as
“seaweedy and intensely peaty” and “not for the faint hearted”.
WHAT THEY SAY: “The presentation tin celebrates Smokehead’s affinity to rock music and reaffirms the brand’s unique position within the Single Malt category. Smokehead is vigorous and unapologetic about its big and intense peaty flavours.”
COMPANY: LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET
STAND: G54, YELLOW VILLAGE
PRODUCT: POLIAKOV FLAVOURED VODKA RANGE
Poliakov, one of the world’s best-selling vodkas with 1.2 million case sales annually, has attempted to “bypass flavour fatigue” with its new flavoured vodka range.
The brand has upgraded its classic flavours using natural aromas to “ring a bell with each and every one of us” plus a new packaging design. As well as the new vanilla flavour, the range also consists of Mandarin, Lemon, Green Apple,
Cranberry, Peach, Caramel and Strawberry.
WHAT THEY SAY: “A known Parisian barman has created a cocktail for each of the eight flavours. These cocktails intend to enhance each flavour, while offering an accessible recipe to enjoy at home with your friends.”
COMPANY: JANNEAU
STAND: K62, GREEN VILLAGE
PRODUCT: JANNEAU LUXURY ARMAGNAC RANGE
Following its debut appearance at TFWA Cannes last year, Armagnac Janneau is returning once again with updated packaging for its entire range, including its VSOP, XO Royal and older expressions, including vintages.
Despite making its first appearance last year, Janneau is among the first export brands in Armagnac and the leading Armagnac in travel retail in Western
Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia and the Gulf, and is now expanding into Asia
Pacific.
WHAT THEY SAY: “Janneau Grand Armagnac will be presenting all new luxurious and contemporary packaging, a new Company logo with a new graphic design which will be more assertive and more memorable for consumers.”
COMPANY: LOUIS ROYER
STAND: K16, RED VILLAGE
PRODUCT: LOUIS ROYER VS AND VSOP COGNACS
Stop by the Palais des Festivals’ Red Village for a visit to Louis Royer Cognacs’ stand for a taste of the house’s exceptional range of award-winning products.
Among the portfolio on offer will be Louis Royer’s VS and VSOPs, both of which attained a Gold medal at The 2014 Cognac Masters.
WHAT THEY SAY: “With a history of 160 years, Louis Royer is the story of a French family and considerable expertise in the heart of the Cognac region. A multitude of secrets gives Louis Royer Cognacs a refined quality and a very special personality.”
COMPANY: BROWN-FORMAN
STAND: M65 & M70, GREEN VILLAGE
PRODUCT: JACK DANIEL’S
US whiskey producer Brown-Forman will be showing off Jack Daniels’ first assistant master distiller, Chris Fletcher, at its stand at TFWA this October.
Having adopted the role in January 2014, Fletcher will accompany master distiller Jeff Arnett in showcasing the brand’s travel retail expressions, including No. 27 Gold and Master Distiller Series.
WHAT THEY SAY: “While he briefly visited the TFWA Exhibition in Singapore, Fletcher will begin his official travel retail duties in Cannes where he will conduct whiskey tastings and meet with Brown-Forman customers and members of the news media. Fletcher is the grandson of the fifth Jack Daniel’s
Master Distiller, Frank Bobo.”
COMPANY: WALDEMAR BEHN
STAND: H52, GREEN VILLAGE
PRODUCT: DANZKA APPLE
Get a sneak preview of Danish vodka Danzka’s first new flavour for 10 years: Danzka Apple.
Described as having a flavour of “crisp green apples” with a long body, the clear new expression is designed to be served over ice with soda, lemonade or ginger ale, or alternatively in an Appletini.
It joins aluminium-bottled Danzka’s already comprehensive range of classic flavoured vodkas that includes Citrus, Currant, Grapefruit and Cranraz.
WHAT THEY SAY: “Danzka Apple is not a flavour that was developed because we had to come up with something new; it was developed because we see a real request for apple. We are going to the root of basic but delicious flavours.”
COMPANY: GODET COGNAC
STAND: A1, BLUE VILLAGE
PRODUCT: COGNAC NO.1
The House of Godet Cognac will use TFWA Cannes to launch a new style of Cognac designed “to be mixed with virtually anything and by virtually anyone”.
Cognac No.1, in its sleek, minimalist, square bottle – a signature of the Godet house – is a blend of young Cognacs described as “round, velvety, deep and long”.
Despite having been run for 14 generations, the House of Godet has gained a reputation for moving with the times, having even creating a Cognac, named Antarctica Godet, from a grape almost untouched by the industry, Folle Blache.
WHAT THEY SAY: “Cognac No.1 is a Cognac of a new genre; the cocktail of the Gentleman. Exit vodka, rum, gin – the new thing will be Cognac. Cognac No.1 aims to conquer the heart and glasses of the most demanding cocktail consumers.”
