Store Focus.
Vancouver airport.Vancouver airport hit the headlines earlier this year after its duty-free stores announced they had stocked five bottles of the world’s most expensive cognac, L’Esprit de Courvoisier, priced at a cool C$5,750 (£2,700) each.The whiskies on offer at Vancouver are also excellent and rather more affordable. Duty-free concessionaire The Nuance Group operates three stores at the airport and a downtown outlet at 1026 Alberni Street.The best store for whisky at the airport is the Connoisseur Shop, stocking between 65 and 70 whiskies, including many rare items. Prices are at least 30 per cent cheaper than at domestic outlets.Bottle sizes are predominantly one litre rather than the 750ml found domestically.Hard-to-find references include Glenfiddich 12 year old (C$36.73/£17.25); Macallan Elegancia 12 year old (C$62/£29.15) and Ballantine’s 21 year old (C$109.99/£51.70).New launches coming soon include Glenlivet Nadurra 16 year old, Glenfiddich 30 year old and Caoran Reserve Silver Tube.About 35 whiskies are available for tasting and resident liquor expert Roberto Roberti is on hand to answer customer queries.Promotions for October include Chivas Regal 12 year old for C$99.99 (£46.99) and 10 per cent discounts on Chivas Regal 18 year old and any Balvenie or Glenfiddich reference.Best Buy.
Highland Park 16 Year Old.The Edrington Group is determined to reverse the fortunes of its award-winning Orcadian malt, Highland Park.In the global duty-free malt rankings it languishes in ninth place, despite winning 23 international awards in the last four years.Cue the arrival of Highland Park 16 year old at this October’s TFWAWorld Exhibition in Cannes.Priced at E49.99 (£34.20) it is aimed at bridging the gap between the 12 year old and 18 year old.The whisky is everything you’d expect from Highland Park: plenty of smoky, heather notes on the nose and palate, and a rich, sweet, sherryinfluenced flavour.Given the extensive aged stocks at the brand’s Kirkwall distillery, more duty-free exclusives are promised some time next year.The 16 year old will be available in leading European and US airports.Recommended Buy.
Bowmore Enigma 12 Year Old.Morrison Bowmore is to unveil seven new malts at the TFWAWorld Exhibition.Our pick of the bunch is a reasonably priced travel-retail exclusive offering, Enigma 12 year old.This 40% ABV Islay malt is matured in sherry casks, giving a richer, sweeter dram. Enigma has a deep bronze colour and a rounded, salty and peaty finish.It will be available at leading international airports from November at about £24.99. Tel: +604 303 3101
Opening hours: Various, but stores are open to service all international departures
Vancouver airport.Vancouver airport hit the headlines earlier this year after its duty-free stores announced they had stocked five bottles of the world’s most expensive cognac, L’Esprit de Courvoisier, priced at a cool C$5,750 (£2,700) each.The whiskies on offer at Vancouver are also excellent and rather more affordable. Duty-free concessionaire The Nuance Group operates three stores at the airport and a downtown outlet at 1026 Alberni Street.The best store for whisky at the airport is the Connoisseur Shop, stocking between 65 and 70 whiskies, including many rare items. Prices are at least 30 per cent cheaper than at domestic outlets.Bottle sizes are predominantly one litre rather than the 750ml found domestically.Hard-to-find references include Glenfiddich 12 year old (C$36.73/£17.25); Macallan Elegancia 12 year old (C$62/£29.15) and Ballantine’s 21 year old (C$109.99/£51.70).New launches coming soon include Glenlivet Nadurra 16 year old, Glenfiddich 30 year old and Caoran Reserve Silver Tube.About 35 whiskies are available for tasting and resident liquor expert Roberto Roberti is on hand to answer customer queries.Promotions for October include Chivas Regal 12 year old for C$99.99 (£46.99) and 10 per cent discounts on Chivas Regal 18 year old and any Balvenie or Glenfiddich reference.Best Buy.
Highland Park 16 Year Old.The Edrington Group is determined to reverse the fortunes of its award-winning Orcadian malt, Highland Park.In the global duty-free malt rankings it languishes in ninth place, despite winning 23 international awards in the last four years.Cue the arrival of Highland Park 16 year old at this October’s TFWAWorld Exhibition in Cannes.Priced at E49.99 (£34.20) it is aimed at bridging the gap between the 12 year old and 18 year old.The whisky is everything you’d expect from Highland Park: plenty of smoky, heather notes on the nose and palate, and a rich, sweet, sherryinfluenced flavour.Given the extensive aged stocks at the brand’s Kirkwall distillery, more duty-free exclusives are promised some time next year.The 16 year old will be available in leading European and US airports.Recommended Buy.
Bowmore Enigma 12 Year Old.Morrison Bowmore is to unveil seven new malts at the TFWAWorld Exhibition.Our pick of the bunch is a reasonably priced travel-retail exclusive offering, Enigma 12 year old.This 40% ABV Islay malt is matured in sherry casks, giving a richer, sweeter dram. Enigma has a deep bronze colour and a rounded, salty and peaty finish.It will be available at leading international airports from November at about £24.99. Tel: +604 303 3101
Opening hours: Various, but stores are open to service all international departures
