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Chivas Brothers unveils GTR-exclusive whiskies
The Scotch arm of Pernod Ricard, Chivas Brothers, has revealed new whisky ranges for both its Ballantine’s and Royal Salute brands, exclusively for travel retail.
Royal Salute has created the Small Batch collection, a selection of rare cask-finished whiskies, while Ballantines has debuted its 23 Year Old Golden Hour series.
For the Small Batch collection, these comprise eight whiskies aged between 25 and 29 years old, crafted using casks including rye, French limousin oak and Pedro Ximénez Sherry.
Sandy Hyslop, director of blending and inventory at Chivas Brothers, said: “Each of the eight whiskies available in this Small Batch collection were matured in special casks which I have personally selected on my travels around the world.
“This is a truly unique collection, with each individual whisky having a unique flavour profile, providing an array of choice to suit different preferences and open up new tasting experiences.”
The whiskies are presented in purple-hued flagons as a tribute to the brand’s heritage when it was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation in 1953.
The collection is available in limited quantities, in specific global travel retail (GTR) locations, for an RRP between US$450-750.
Ballantine’s Golden Hour
Meanwhile the Ballantine’s 23 Year Old Golden Hour series is said to follow the brand’s ethos of ‘time well spent’, which is about ‘making time to create moments that truly matter’.
Each expression in the series will offer a twist on the brand’s 23-year-old Scotch with a different oak cask finish. The inaugural release sees the blend finished in former Cognac casks – a first for Ballantine’s.
It’s described as having ‘sweet and fruity notes of juicy peach on the nose, and sweet toffee with hints of honey blossom on the palate’.
Hyslop said: “Introducing an unexpected twist to our widely loved Ballantine’s 23 Year Old is a big responsibility and this exclusive release caters for aficionados searching for a new drinking experience with a sweeter profile.
“Pushing our cask diversification into ex-Cognac barrels is an exciting innovation in Ballantine’s history and the result is a luxurious and vibrant Scotch.”
The 23 Year Old Golden Hour Edition has an ABV of 40% and retails for US$279.
“This is the first Cognac cask finish to join the Ballantine’s range and I am delighted to share it exclusively with travellers across Asia Pacific,” added Liya Zhang, Pernod Ricard GTR’s vice-president of marketing.
“With our new series we invite them to celebrate the golden moments of their travels, marked with discovery and new experiences.”
Ballantine’s is the world’s second biggest-selling Scotch whisky.
It sold 8.2 million nine-litre cases in 2023, a decline of 10.5%, according to the recently published Brand Champions 2024 report.
Pernod Ricard also owns the Chivas Regal, Passport, 100 Pipers and The Glenlivet Scotch whisky brands.