Aultmore Distillery

Bacardi Invests in Future of Premium Scotch Whisky With Multi-Million Pound Distillery and Warehousing Investments

As winter creeps in, the most of us on the distillery team are lucky to be able to work indoors much of the time. The Spirit Hall is lovely and warm when the bright copper stills are in full swing and the peat fire in the public areas keeps hands and hearts warm.

Of course, there are always deliveries to the courtyard and casks to transport as the weather does its worst but the shelter of the warehouse office or staffroom is usually never too far away.

So, we spare a thought for our fellow islanders who work outdoors on land and sea, from fishermen and salmon farmers to crofters and Calmac ferry folk, at this time of year.

And then there’s the delivery men and postwomen who help keep our island spirit flowing from Harris to the wider world and our distillery supplied with everything we need to make our whisky.

So, here’s to all the hard working people of the Outer Hebrides helping to make these islands and our communities what they are, particularly as the days darken.

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

The Hearach single malt is our first historic release and every drop has been proudly distilled, matured, married, and bottled here in the Isle of Harris. Made by one of the youngest teams of home-grown distillers in the country, from the softest of Scottish water, it’s a delicious dram designed for drinking.

Uncork the stopper to enjoy an elegant and complex Outer Hebridean whisky full of character which, just like the island, reveals itself over time. Expect hints of peat smoke, apple sauce, and toasted malt in your glass as flavours of wildflowers, spice, clotted cream and candied sweets unfold.

Buy your bottle online or from your nearest stockist, and open it to discover more…

BUY YOUR BOTTLE OF THE HEARACH

Exciting news for our friends across the pond as The Hearach First Fill Oloroso Cask Matured officially arrives stateside… Look out for it on shelves near you this week and find your nearest stockist in the USA with our online stockist map.

Rich, bold, and aromatic, our new expression of The Hearach celebrates the connections between the sherry region of Spain and our Outer Hebridean spirit making. So, from Jerez to Harris, we invite you to explore the scents and sensory experience of The Hearach First Fill Oloroso Cask Matured single malt this season.

It’s a delicious dram made to be enjoyed so order yours and open to discover more…

BUY THE HEARACH OLOROSO

GET TO KNOW AMERICAN WHISKEY

Thanksgiving is coming, which means this is the perfect time to explore the diverse world of American whiskey. Bourbon, rye – and increasingly American single malt – tend to be a little punchier than other whiskies, with a rich vein of spice and vanilla that makes them ideal for Autumn.

These are some of our favourite American whiskies of the moment, including timeless classics like Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon from Buffalo Trace to relative newcomers like Westland distillery which makes single malt in Seattle.

Whether you’re used to Scotch and Japanese whisky and you’re looking for something new, or if you’re a seasoned bourbon fan, we’ve got the perfect bottles to enjoy this autumn.

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HARMONY COLLECTION #4
VIBRANT OAK

70cl | 44.2% ABV

The fourth release in the Harmony Collection has been created in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil to tell the story of the cask maturation in an imaginative, visual and innovative way. Cirque du Soleil’s world-renowned circus shows inspire change through creativity and art. In perfect harmony, The Macallan and Cirque du Soleil combine their crafts to present this enchanting release.

Expertly created by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team, this Single Malt was matured in a combination of first fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and refill sherry casks. These casks have been carefully selected to deliver the classic American oak flavours of vanilla, citrus and sweet oak, naturally derived from the cask during maturation, with a medium, sweet finish that delicately lingers.

£159.95

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TASTING NOTES:

Nose
Intense vanilla bean accompanied by sweet sherbet and lime zest gives way to fragrant pears nestled in delicate vanilla sponge cake.

Palate
Creamy vanilla panna cotta, buttery shortbread, lightly toasted coconut with almond brittle, apple and sweet oak.

Finish
Medium, sweet with lingering vanilla.

We have partnered with bars and restaurants across the UK to celebrate The Macallan 200 Years Young. Each venue will have a limited availability of TIME : SPACE Mastery to savour by the dram, or in cocktails that highlight the time travel of mixology through classic serves created with a modern twist. Locate your nearest hospitality venue and join us in celebrating this special 200th year.

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+TIME : SPACE COLLECTION

Whisky making is like time travel: what we bottle today was created many years in the past, and the spirit we lay down in casks now is destined for many years in the future. Through time travelling, we learn from the past and look to the future.

Two limited expressions, two journeys through time.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

There are some things every festive table should have, so this Christmas, make sure to give the gift of time. Whether it’s festive whiskies, exquisite whisky gifts or distillery experience gift vouchers, save a place for Glengoyne at your table this year.

EXPLORE FULL CHRISTMAS GIFTING GUIDE

‘Sky’s the limit: the rise of global travel retail’ by Mathieu Jeannin

Shopping at the airport is a unique experience. Travellers usually have time on their hands before boarding. They’re more likely to be in the mood to browse, to treat themselves or splash out on a gift. Alternatively, they could be one of the savvy millions who wait to stock up on the brands they love with a tax-free discount.

According to recently released figures from the IWSC (August 2024), Global Travel Retail (GTR) footfall is back to its pre-pandemic level and its value to the alcohol sector is now higher than in 2019. Despite volumes being more sluggish due to careful consumer spending, they expect the channel to outperform all other alcohol markets in the run up to 2028, with value growth of +7% predicted.

This explains why, for spirits brands, GTR has become such a priority. In our latest ‘In Conversation With…’  article, International Beverage’s Paris-born Senior Sales Manager for Global Travel Retail, Mathieu Jeannin, shares his secrets for success in this booming channel.

I’ve spent my whole career in the drinks industry, working in sales for Bordeaux wines and French Cognacs amongst others, in both Europe and Asia. I joined International Beverage just after the pandemic to support markets in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan before heading to London for a role in the European GTR team – a job I relish given how much I love travel and how long I’ve spent in airports over the years!

This is a very special – and specialised – channel. Particularly so for Scotch whisky, which is a premium category with a huge international consumer base. I came into the role knowing that airports can be a powerful shop window to the world, with an opportunity to sample and immerse consumers in your brand. But to succeed and ensure your brands shine – and sell – in the channel, there are some important strategic insights and trends to be aware of.

It’s all about premium

Travellers want something different and exclusive in the airport, compared to the products they see on shelf during their weekly shop. They want more elevated expressions and to dip into the higher end of your portfolio. We bring a future-oriented strategy to GTR, led by new products, limited editions and premium or super-premium ranges. We have invested in transforming our GTR ranges to meet consumer needs – from Old Pulteney’s ‘Traveller’s Exclusives’ to the dedicated GTR range we’ll be introducing for our Speyside single malt, Speyburn, in 2025.

Build the volume opportunity

If GTR was a country, it would be the world’s most valuable one when it comes to Scotch whisky. That’s a powerful statistic, and a reminder of the huge potential for commercial wins in the channel. Single malt volume sales were up by +24% in 2023 (IWSR August 2024) and are forecast to sustain this growth. The channel presents brands with a captive market selling exclusive products, so price sensitivity is less of an issue. It’s also an enduring channel. People’s love of travel and airport shopping is going nowhere. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite in domestic markets, GTR is an increasingly important volume driver for many global spirits brands.

Tracking the new consumer

We make no assumptions about the GTR shopper. As an insights-driven business, we can see consumer behaviour and trends evolving – such as the emergence of younger shoppers in the GTR mix, who are making the most of budget travel but still want to spend on premium goods at the airport.  And they’re digital savvy, looking online before they travel to pre-plan purchases. A blended digital and in-airport approach to marketing and activations is crucial – as is keeping track of future trends and tastes of consumers in this space!

Right product, right place

There are huge regional variations to factor into any successful GTR strategy. Europe is a mature market, and the big hubs such as London, Paris and Amsterdam are growing more slowly than their counterparts in Asia (GTR sales in APAC were +46% in value during 2023, IWSC August 2024).  This is where the big opportunities lie in terms of volume and long-term growth – with Chinese tax-free super-hub Hainan attracting an incredible 90 million consumers each year. We continue to invest in both regions, but always with one simple rule at the core: right product, right place. I’s a granular, long-term strategy for success, driven by the profile and needs of each airport – whether that’s Balblair leading our activations in Hong Kong or Caorunn taking centre stage in its home market in Scotland.

Experience is everything

2024 has marked some of our company’s biggest marketing investments to date in the GTR channel. We now have full time brand ambassadors at several major travel hubs to deliver all important ‘liquid on lips’. Combined with a memorable brand experience – such as our stunning Old Pulteney tasting bars which have been transporting people to the brand’s Highland home at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Heathrow – we’ve delivered impressive results.

Partnership working

After airlines, duty free shopping is the biggest revenue driver for airports over any other – including hotels and restaurants. Airports want brands to invest and succeed, and they are ready and willing to support ambitious ideas and activations. As with so many aspects of our industry, strong long-term partnerships are the key to success.

Octomore “15.3 Edition” 100% Islay Barley Heavily Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $259.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Distillery life begins early each morning as the whisky-makers and production men and women take the long and winding roads from their home villages to work. Our northerly latitude (around the 58th parallel – the same as Alaska) means that the slide into the dark months is a swift one and their daily drive to Tarbert is now well before dawn.

The young distillers are sometimes rewarded with a special sunrise, as the windows of the Spirit Hall look out across East Loch Tarbert. But, more often than not, it’s lashing rain that greets their peers through the glass.
Visitors and regular Journal readers will know our distillery fire well, a beacon of warmth which welcomes visitors who come through our doors, particularly at this colder time of year. Each day the guest team build a beautiful blaze with locally cut peat and both the flames and sweet smoky scent of this traditional fuel soon warms both hands and heart.

With the clocks here in the UK have gone back we’re plunged a little deeper into the depths but there’s beauty to be found even with the arrival of winter.

Empty beaches and bracing walks in the wild Harris winds are well rewarded with warming drams. Just wrap up well and ensure something worth pouring awaits your return home as we enjoy the last of the light…

Read on for more stories and have a great weekend wherever you are in the world…

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

The Hearach single malt is a complex and elegant whisky, full of island character.

We encourage you to spend time in its company, and explore the scents and sensory experience from a personal point of view.

To help things along, here are the official tasting notes from our distillery blender, Shona Macleod, from the village of Carragreich:

“ I get a gentle peat smoke on the first sip which reminds me of island home fires burning when I was growing up. It comes along with a toasted maltiness. I can also taste homemade apple sauce and smell machair flowers, particularly white clover which springs up on our west coast every summer. Mixed spices appear, and an old-fashioned sweetness from things like candied ginger, vanilla, and honeycomb. Finally, there’s a long, clotted-cream note, mixed with a lasting sense of new leather.”

Let us know your thoughts on the flavours you find, and the memories they evoke, next time you enjoy your dram…

Order your bottle and open to discover more…

ORDER YOUR BOTTLE OF THE HEARACH