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W illiam Ovens, Ian Macleod Distillers’ Global Travel Retail Director, brings news of important developments to the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference as he reports that “our position in Asian travel retail has developed significantly since we took distribution back in-house, led by Kelvin Ng – our highly-experienced Hong Kong- based Regional Director.” Within the portfolio, an important shift has been to make its Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Whisky more accessible with the introduction of Tamdu Cuatro Reserva. Tamdhu is exclusively matured in rare Oloroso sherry casks – only 5% of all Scotch whisky is matured in this way – and therefore Tamdhu has traditionally maintained a very high entry price point of $143; whereas the travel retail price of the new Cuatro Reserva is around $97. Tamdhu Cuatro Reserva is matured in a combination of First Fill European Oak Casks, Refill European Oak Casks, First Fill American Oak Casks and Refill American Oak Casks. “In a significant move we have secured additional stocks for the channel, meaning that we will be able to expand the presence of Tamdhu at a greater number of airports and on cruise lines.” Moving to the “pinnacle” of the Tamdhu range, Ovens also explains that Ian Macleod Distillers is launching the first of eight expressions of its Dedication Series. “These are very special indeed – the first expression is the ‘Forty Six’ from 1977, exceptionally rare, cask strength and non-chill filtered so all the flavours come through.” The Tamdhu Forty Six will retail at $20,000 per bottle and only 100 hand-blown, individually numbered crystal decanters will be available globally. Tamdhu Cuatro Reserva broadens price point accessibility while Dedication Series maintains the “pinnacle” Another Ian Macleod brand with a new expression launching here in Singapore is Rosebank, described by Ovens as “the king of the Lowland single malts.” The Rosebank Distillery was closed and mothballed by Diageo in 1993. Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the brand in 2017 with limited existing stocks inherited from Diageo. The new Remarkable Casks Collection will have a limited annual release, with the first release of only 700 bottles at 31 years old. Distillation resumed last year at the re-awakened site using the unique Rosebank original style – it is the only distillery to employ a method combining triple distillation and worm tub condensers. Release 1 is the first of five planned releases. Meanwhile, Ian Macleod Distillers is re-introducing a limited release Glengoyne Single Cask to the channel, the likes of which has not been available for over a decade. Matured in a European oak sherry hogshead single cask cask, the circa 200 bottles will have a $1,950 price point – a luxury for sure… but not at an unimaginable cost. Basement 2/2-M01 Glencalvie blended Scotch “is perfect for Asia” B rought to Singapore by a new exhibitor, Glencalvie blended Scotch whisky is already sold widely in the Middle East and Executive Duty Free’s Director, Rajan Bhatia, hopes to use the springboard of the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference to expand in more Asian markets. “With strong notes of vanilla, and some caramel, the blend is perfect for Asia,” says a confident Bhatia. “While our journey with Glencalvie is just beginning, Executive Duty Free has a very strong pedigree in the category as a significant seaport duty free retailer in the major seaports of the UAE where we have extensive experience serving all the essential duty free needs to seafarers,” explained Bhatia to the Dailies in the exhibition yesterday. Basement 2/2-G35 Tuesday 14 May 2024 36 T F W A D A I L Y