SCOTLAND – Chivas Brothers, the Scotch arm of Pernod Ricard, has launched new whisky collections for its prestigious Ballantine’s and Royal Salute brands, specifically targeting the travel retail market.
Royal Salute has introduced the Small Batch collection, a series of rare cask-finished whiskies aged between 25 and 29 years.
This exclusive line features eight unique expressions, matured in specially selected casks, including rye, French limousin oak, and Pedro Ximénez Sherry.
Each whisky in the collection is presented in purple-hued flagons, a nod to Royal Salute’s heritage when it was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation in 1953.
Sandy Hyslop, Director of Blending and Inventory at Chivas Brothers, expressed his enthusiasm for the collection: “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 Small Batch collection will be available in limited quantities at select global travel retail locations, priced between US$450 and US$750.
In parallel, Ballantine’s has unveiled the 23-Year-Old Golden Hour series featuring variations of the brand’s 23-year-old Scotch; each finished in different oak casks
The inaugural release is finished in ex-Cognac casks, a first for Ballantine’s, offering sweet and fruity notes of juicy peach on the nose, with sweet toffee and 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, with an ABV of 40%, retails for US$279 and is available exclusively to travelers across the Asia Pacific region.
Liya Zhang, Pernod Ricard GTR’s Vice-President of Marketing, expressed her excitement: “With our new series we invite them to celebrate the golden moments of their travels, marked with discovery and new experiences.”
Ballantine’s, the world’s second biggest-selling Scotch whisky, sold 8.2 million nine-litre cases in 2023, although it experienced a decline of 10.5 percent, according to the Brand Champions 2024 report.
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