Spirits highlights from TFWA Cannes 2025
The Tax Free World Association’s (TFWA) Exhibition and Conference in Cannes was bigger and better than ever this year with a swathe of new launches and activations across the spirits sector.
The 2025 show (29 September to 2 October) attracted record visitor numbers, with wine, spirits, beer and alcohol-free drinks collectively taking a 26% share of exhibitors – the second-biggest product category after perfumes and cosmetics.
Big-name spirits exhibitors returned to the French Riviera, including the likes of Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Brown-Forman and Rémy Cointreau.
After moving from Brown-Forman’s portfolio to Coca-Cola HBC in 2023, Finlandia Vodka was also in the spotlight with a dedicated cinema-inspired stand that showcased the brand’s latest campaign, complete with theatre-style seating, slushies and Bloody Mary-flavoured popcorn.
The show is also an opportune time for alcohol producers to showcase their latest travel retail-exclusive expressions to buyers and journalists, with new releases spanning categories such as whisky, Tequila and liqueurs.
Scroll down to see some of the latest spirits launches for the global travel retail (GTR) channel from this year’s TFWA show.
Brown-Forman focuses on GlenDronach
Brown-Forman’s stand at this year’s TFWA fair showcased a new GTR-exclusive trio from The GlenDronach, although details are being kept under wraps. The new series, called House Editions, takes inspiration from three cities: Seville, Venice and Paris. Master blender Rachel Barrie created three new liquids based on the European cities, with the launches set to coincide with the Scottish distillery’s 200th anniversary in 2026.
Due to popular demand, the previously limited Woodford Reserve Double XO Blend has also become a permanent GTR exclusive. Double XO is blend of Kentucky straight Bourbons that have been double and triple distilled, then finished in heavily toasted barrels and XO Cognac casks. The expression is priced at US$174.99 per 700ml bottle and available from select GTR locations.
Brown-Forman has also introduced the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage whiskey and the new Jack Daniel’s Blackberry to the GTR market.
First GTR-exclusive 1800 Tequila
Tequila brand 1800 revealed its first global travel retail-exclusive expression during the TFWA show – Triple Cask Añejo.
It has been aged in three cask types: French oak, American oak and Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks. On the nose, it brings hint of wood, caramel, cherry and plum, alongside flavours of cooked agave sweetness, honey and spice.
According to the company, the new launch supports 1800’s positioning in the global travel retail space, where it is the third-biggest Tequila by volume. The company has “big ambitions” for the brand in GTR.
Triple Cask Añejo will launch in markets including the UK, Mexico, Europe, Asia and the Middle East from 2026. It is bottled at 40% ABV and will be available in a one-litre format.
Secret release from Bruichladdich
One of the most guarded releases from the TFWA Cannes show was the first chapter in Bruichladdich’s Black Art series.
Created in total secrecy by master blender Adam Hannett, the new GTR-exclusive Black Art Sepero has been aged for 19 years using the final reserves from some of the distillery’s oldest and limited stocks. What we do know is that some of the casks were laid down before the distillery reopened its doors in 2001.
Given tasting notes include malted barley, maple syrup, warm spices, dark chocolate and dried fruits.
Available from November 2025 onwards, the new 47.8% ABV whisky is the first in a six-part series. It has an RRP of €220 (US$254) for a 700ml bottle.
Parent company Rémy Cointreau also displayed a new limited edition Cointreau liqueur and ready-to-drink range, and its latest GTR-exclusive packaging design for Rémy Martin Cognac, a Dubai-inspired VSOP expression.
Ian Macleod reveals new gin-based liqueurs and whiskies
Scotland’s Ian Macleod Distillers revealed a new trio of liqueurs under its Edinburgh Gin brand, and several new whiskies.
Elevated Editions are the first GTR-exclusive liqueurs to launch from the Edinburgh Gin brand and feature a higher ABV of 22% (compared to 20% ABV for the domestic liqueurs).
Based on the brand’s best-selling domestic range, the new flavours are: Rhubarb & Ginger, Raspberry, and Blood Orange & Ginger. The latter flavour is also new to the brand’s liqueur line, providing a punchy and fiery expression to travellers. The liqueurs are priced at £12 (US$16) per 500ml bottle.
The channel has long been a key focus for Ian Macleod with Edinburgh Gin holding the position of number-one super-premium gin in UK travel retail.
In addition to the new liqueurs, Ian Macleod has revealed a new single malt under its Speyside whisky brand Tamdhu, Cuatro Reserva 12 Year Old. The 41.2% ABV expression will become the brand’s core whisky in GTR, retailing at the affordable price of £55 (US$73) per 700ml bottle.
Tamdhu is known for its use of Sherry casks and this latest expression uses two types: first-fill Sherry casks and refill Sherry casks. The liquid is said to combine the fresh fruit of American oak casks with the spiciness of European oak.
Ian Macleod also showcased the third release in its five-strong GTR-exclusive Rosebank range, a 1991 vintage that is “light and floral” with oily notes. The 33-year-old whisky was selected from Lowland distillery Rosebank’s rare cask archive and is limited to 350 700ml bottles. Bottled at 47.5% ABV, the liquid is priced at RRP £3,900 (US$5,177).
The Lakes bets on GTR with second whisky
After debuting its first GTR expression last year, English whisky maker The Lakes Distillery has unveiled its latest release, Ascent.
The new whisky combines Sherry, red wine and Bourbon casks and is finished in first-fill oloroso Sherry casks. The channel has become important for Lakes Distillery, which unveiled its debut GTR whisky, Boundless, last summer.
Karl Thogersen, group head of sales – GTR and Europe said: “As a business, we place a lot of importance on this channel and our ambition is to offer customers and consumers exciting single malt whiskies that will inspire and intrigue them to explore more within our category.
“Ascent is a really stand-out product and as is typical with The Lakes whiskies, it offers an intricate web of incredible flavours that will hopefully see people coming back for more.”
The Lakes Ascent (48% ABV) has an RRP of £149.90 (US$199).
The new launch follows the release of The Lakes Distillery’s first permanent single malt in March 2025. Last year, the whisky producer was acquired by English wine maker Nyetimber in a £71 million (US$89m) deal.
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