Chivas debuts four GTR exclusives
Scotch producer Chivas Brothers has released a trio of new Aberlour single malts and an 18-year-old Chivas Regal blend aged in Pauillac wine casks for global travel retail (GTR).
The new Aberlour range for GTR includes a non-age statement whisky called Suthainn, a 13-year-old, and a 16-year-old Double Charred Selection. Jayne Murphy, marketing director of malts at Chivas Brothers, said: “This global travel retail-exclusive range demonstrates once again how Aberlour can be the expression of true progressive craftsmanship and everything that makes it unique – from picturesque Speyside to the sensorial experience of every sip. "Global travel retail plays a key role for Aberlour, building awareness through increased visibility and exceptional retail experiences. We are excited for consumers to try the new range.” Aberlour 13-year-old is matured in American oak and oloroso Sherry oak casks, is bottled at 40% ABV and retails for £68 (US$88). The expression displays aromas of spiced red apples, plum jam, honeydew melon, cinnamon biscuit and soft caramel, followed on the palate by freshly baked strudel, golden syrup, butterscotch, raspberry jam and ginger spice notes. Aberlour 16-year-old Double Charred Selection is finished in extra-charred American oak casks and retails for £121 (US$156). Offered at 43% ABV, the single malt displays notes of white chocolate, vanilla cream, cinnamon spiced bananas, coconut sorbet, Mejdool dates and zesty orange on the palate. Aberlour Suthainn is non-chill-filtered and presented without an age statement. It has been crafted using a version of the solera process and is bottled at 48% ABV with a price of £85 (US$110). With extended maturation in European Sherry hogshead casks, the Suthainn flavour profile is said to enhance Aberlour's rich sherried character and spice, producing distinctive batches each time. The trio will be available to travel retail customers at UK airports and Delhi Airport before rolling out across selected duty free stores worldwide from April. Aberlour's new identity The release of the travel-exclusive range features a new look in keeping with Aberlour’s recent visual identity refresh. The new packaging reflects Aberlour’s connection to the natural landscape, featuring an earthy colour palette and a dominant oak tree over water, which symbolises the River Lour. Designed with resource efficiency, the packaging includes a recyclable presentation canister and reduces the glass bottle weight by 16%. The distillery's visibility in duty free stores will also include a retail space, with furnishings dressed in red, brushed gold and oakwood effect. Liya Zhang, VP of marketing at Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, said: “By utilising the power and differentiation of travel retail, our ambition is to make Aberlour a leading player in the ultra-premium single malt category. Through prioritised, data-led distribution, we will capitalise on the brand’s evident and authentic craft to build awareness and consideration of the Aberlour range, recruiting more craft whisky drinkers in the process. "The brand’s new look and feel is a stunning reimagining of this much-loved Speyside whisky, and I commend the shared passion and commitment of our teams in getting us to this exciting launch milestone.”Chivas Regal 18-year-old Pauillac Finish Chivas Brothers has also unveiled the newest 18-year-old Chivas Regal blended Scotch whisky in its Ultimate Cask Collection, which has been finished in French Pauillac wine casks. Nick Blacknell, global marketing director at Chivas Regal, stated: “We are proud to present the Chivas Regal 18-year-old Ultimate Cask Collection, Pauillac Cask Finish expression in the new-look bottle, which features a 25% glass-weight reduction and fully recyclable outer packaging launched last year. "The new Chivas Regal 18 bottle not only showcases our dedication to luxury but also highlights our ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental impact – something important to us and to our travellers.” The global travel retail exclusive release is bottled at 48% ABV. Created by Chivas Regal master blender Sandy Hyslop, the whisky is presented in a one-litre bottle with flourishes of purple and gold, housed in a white, purple and gold carton. Offering aromas of raspberry coulis and fresh vanilla, the expression displays notes of homemade blackcurrant jam, lemon curd, spiced plums, and poached pear on the palate. Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Pauillac Ultimate Cask Finish will be available in duty free locations across UAE, Asia, India, the UK and the Americas from March 2025 with prices varying across markets. Travellers will be invited to engage with the latest expression through guided tastings and store activations, which will highlight the premiumisation of Chivas Regal. Zhang commented: “Chivas Regal is the third-biggest Scotch brand in the world, available in more than 100 countries, and is extremely popular within our Gulf and India trading area. Collectors of super-premium whisky won’t be disappointed with this smooth and indulgent expression, finished in first-fill Pauillac casks from France. "We are proud of this latest iteration from the Chivas Regal Ultimate Cask Collection exclusive to global travel retail – another fantastic coup for Pernod Ricard GTR.” According to data released in February this year, Chivas Brothers' whisky portfolio experienced a 2% sales dip in the first half of the 2025 financial year. Earlier this month, Chivas Regal teamed up with Formula One driver Charles Leclerc in a multi-year partnership.
