Best BuyGlen Garioch 46 Year OldMorrison Bowmore is best known in travel retail for its smoky Islay malt Bowmore, which has grown rapidly to become one of the top 10 malts in duty-free. However, the whisky distiller is also keen to build the profile of Glen Garioch, its smaller, award-winning Highland malt, and has released the oldest expression yet. Bottled on May 1st 1958, only 328 bottles of Glen Garioch 46 Year Old have been made available.Travellers will be lucky to get their hands on a bottle of this 43% abv whisky as only 60 have been allocated to the duty-free channel. With a price tag of £1,200 per bottle, distribution is likely to be limited to major international airports only.The liquid is described as having eucalyptus notes on the nose, opening up to reveal peaches and cream aromas. There are hints of smoked oak and vanilla sweetness on the palate, while the finish is pleasant and crisp.Recommended BuyGlengoyne 12 Year Old Cask StrengthAt the more affordable end of the market comes a new cask strength whisky from independent family-owned company Ian Macleod distillers.Glengoyne 12 Year Old Cask Strength is an unchill-filtered single malt, which has been bottled at a powerful 57.2% abv. It joins a growing Glengoyne portfolio, which already includes 10, 17, 21 and 30 year old expressions and limited edition bottlings. Glengoyne 12 Year Old Cask Strength has a nose redolent of sherry and toffee apples. There is honey, cocoa and fruit on the palate, while the finish is described as long. Widely available, this malt has a recommended duty-free price of £24 for the 75cl bottle and £32 for the one litre version.Store focus: World of Whiskies, London HeathrowMuch imitated but never bettered, London Heathrow’s four World of Whiskies stores pioneered the concept of specialist airport whisky shops. They boast a core range of 300-350 product lines, 20 per cent of which is changed regularly to keep the offer fresh for frequent flyers.Alongside very knowledgeable staff, there are prices to suit every pocket, ranging from a couple of pounds for a miniature to £20,000 for The Macallan 60 Year Old – the only bottle on sale outside the distillery.Best sellers include the Classic Malt Distillers’ Edition, Balvenie Doublewood and travel-retail exclusives such as The Macallan Elegancia and Glenmorangie Cellar 13.Several malts have been exclusively developed for World of Whiskies. They include Highland Park 1968 and 1977, Auchentoshan 1965 and Glen Garioch 1968.The stores have a rolling promotional programme of ‘Buy Two for £10’ deals on selected products and 25 bottles are available for free sampling at any one time.In addition, specialist whiskies currently on promotion include Northport 19 Year Old, Glenury Royal 23 Year Old, Glen Garioch 21 Year Old, Auchentoshan 21 Year Old and Benromach 18 Year Old.Moreover, any passengers flying within the European Union can take advantage of BAA’s Shopping Collection Service.Customers can pay for their goods in the shop as normal; tell the staff which flight they are returning on, and pick up their bagged purchase at the collection point when they get back.Contact details/opening hours World of Whiskies T1
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 1760 (6.30am-9.30pm)
World of Whiskies T2
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 0371 (6am-9pm)
World of Whiskies T3
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 4591 (6.30am-9.30pm)
World of Whiskies T4
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 0678 (6am-9.45pm)