BALLANTINE’S BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE WITH NEW LIMITED EDITION PACKS FOR CHRISTMAS 2014

Ballantine’s, the No.2 Scotch whisky in the world, has unveiled a unique selection of limited edition gift packs for its Finest and 12 Year Old expressions, each of which brings to life a story which delves into the history, heritage and craftsmanship of the Ballantine’s brand.

Having recently commissioned a historian to trace the history of Ballantine’s from the early times of its founder, George Ballantine, the design of the two new Ballantine’s Finest gift packs is inspired by one particularly engaging story, which captures the theory behind the square-shaped design of the bottle itself.

‘The Briefcase Story Edition’ explores the unusual shape of the iconic Finest bottle, which some say was created so that American socialites could hide the whisky easily in their briefcases during the years of prohibition, should the cops come calling. Others suggest that it’s the perfect shape for a salesman to hold two bottles in his briefcase, one to show to a client and another for…perhaps celebrating the achievement of a personal sales target?

These interesting packs are available in two styles; the 2014 Briefcase Tin is shaped in the style of a classic briefcase and includes eye-catching effects such as authentic metallic corner protections, to draw attention amongst more mature whisky enthusiasts.

For those who prefer a more contemporary style, the 2014 Briefcase Zip is equally striking, boldly featuring materials such as satin lycra, and modern zip grips that imitate a padlock and key.

The third seasonal gift pack began with the specialness of the Ballantine’s 12 Year Old – its preciousness and the need for it to be kept in a safe place, where one would keep his valuables. The Safe Limited Edition represents a vintage safe which features a combination dial and embossed silver elements; a visual manifestation of the rich, smooth and complex 12 Year Old blend, formed of many flavours that seduce the senses and invite the customer to unlock the unique flavour combination.

One can also imagine George Ballantine having a large, solid safe in his office, guarding his valuable recipes and notes, relating to a lifetime’s commitment to his passion around whisky and what has become the highly cherished Ballantine’s.
Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, comments: “We are excited to launch these intriguing limited editions, which will appeal to both Ballantine’s fans and whisky collectors. We wanted to share the richness of the Ballantine’s story on these innovative packs, and hope that this unique approach helps retailers to capture sales during the competitive festive season.”

To encourage customer engagement, there is a series of marketing initiatives available for markets, including print advertising and in-store displays. The gift packs are available now in markets including Greece, India and Chile (The Briefcase) and Portugal, South Africa and Peru (The Safe), priced in parity to Ballantine’s Finest (RRP $14) and Ballantine’s 12 Year Old (RRP $24.50).

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No.2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for its outstanding quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, continuing the brand’s tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827. In 2013, Ballantine’s continued its innovative approach by launching Ballantine’s Brasil, a spirit drink made from selectively cask steeping Scotch whisky with Brazilian lime peel.  www.ballantines.com

@Ballantines

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.  www.chivasbrothers.com