Store Focus
Sky Connection, Hong Kong international airportIt’s not often duty-free shops make headlines around the world, but Hong Kong airport retailer Sky Connection managed just that in February by purchasing the last six bottles of the world’s most expensive whisky, Glenfiddich 1937.They went on sale for a jaw-dropping price of HK$380,000 (£25,850), but Sky Connection is confident Hong Kong high rollers will snap up all six. Other rarities on offer at the airport include The Macallan 1946 priced at HK$18,000 (£1,225); Glenfiddich 40 Year Old at HK$13,800 (£885) and Glenfiddich 50 Year Old at HK$68,000 (£4,600).There are plenty of other more affordable whiskies on sale too. Sky Connection offers a regularly changing selection of about 90 blended whiskies, 70 malt whiskies, 50 bourbons and 10 international whiskeys.Its three best-selling lines are all premium blends – Johnnie Walker Black Label, Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s.All three brands are regularly promoted with tastings and free gifts such as watches, miniatures and travel bags.Sky Connection, which trades under the name of Free Duty, has 10 departure stores and four arrivals shops. The company operates a VIP members club, which gives members a 10 per cent discount on all purchases and the chance to relax in an exclusive airport lounge. Best Buy
Bushmills Malt Select CasksIrish whiskey and duty-free go back a long way. When the first duty-free shop opened at Shannon airport in 1947 Irish whiskey was one of the first products to go on sale.Bushmills Malt Select Casks is aged in Caribbean rum casks and combined with traditional Bushmills whiskey that has been matured in bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry casks.The resulting whiskey has a distinct maltiness,
which is balanced by the honey notes from the rum.The wood contributes vanilla, dark chocolate and almonds, softened with dried fruits and brown sugar. Bushmills Malt Select Casks will initially be available in World Duty Free’s UK airport outlets, French airport stores and at Kiev, St Petersburg and Moscow airports, before a wider international roll out later in the year. It is priced at £25.99.Recommended Buy
Glenmorangie 15 Years Old Sauternes Wood FinishGlenmorangie cements its reputation for innovative new finishes with this launch .This 46% abv non chill-filtered malt has been finished for five years in wine barrels and is deep gold in colour with a rich, syrupy nose, and a palate with spices, Madeira cake and lemon curd. The finish is long and sweet with hints of eucalyptus. It has a recommended retail price of £45 and will only be available in travel-retail.Tel: +852 2136 1633
http://www.freeduty.com
Opening hours: 06.30-23.30
Sky Connection, Hong Kong international airportIt’s not often duty-free shops make headlines around the world, but Hong Kong airport retailer Sky Connection managed just that in February by purchasing the last six bottles of the world’s most expensive whisky, Glenfiddich 1937.They went on sale for a jaw-dropping price of HK$380,000 (£25,850), but Sky Connection is confident Hong Kong high rollers will snap up all six. Other rarities on offer at the airport include The Macallan 1946 priced at HK$18,000 (£1,225); Glenfiddich 40 Year Old at HK$13,800 (£885) and Glenfiddich 50 Year Old at HK$68,000 (£4,600).There are plenty of other more affordable whiskies on sale too. Sky Connection offers a regularly changing selection of about 90 blended whiskies, 70 malt whiskies, 50 bourbons and 10 international whiskeys.Its three best-selling lines are all premium blends – Johnnie Walker Black Label, Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s.All three brands are regularly promoted with tastings and free gifts such as watches, miniatures and travel bags.Sky Connection, which trades under the name of Free Duty, has 10 departure stores and four arrivals shops. The company operates a VIP members club, which gives members a 10 per cent discount on all purchases and the chance to relax in an exclusive airport lounge. Best Buy
Bushmills Malt Select CasksIrish whiskey and duty-free go back a long way. When the first duty-free shop opened at Shannon airport in 1947 Irish whiskey was one of the first products to go on sale.Bushmills Malt Select Casks is aged in Caribbean rum casks and combined with traditional Bushmills whiskey that has been matured in bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry casks.The resulting whiskey has a distinct maltiness,
which is balanced by the honey notes from the rum.The wood contributes vanilla, dark chocolate and almonds, softened with dried fruits and brown sugar. Bushmills Malt Select Casks will initially be available in World Duty Free’s UK airport outlets, French airport stores and at Kiev, St Petersburg and Moscow airports, before a wider international roll out later in the year. It is priced at £25.99.Recommended Buy
Glenmorangie 15 Years Old Sauternes Wood FinishGlenmorangie cements its reputation for innovative new finishes with this launch .This 46% abv non chill-filtered malt has been finished for five years in wine barrels and is deep gold in colour with a rich, syrupy nose, and a palate with spices, Madeira cake and lemon curd. The finish is long and sweet with hints of eucalyptus. It has a recommended retail price of £45 and will only be available in travel-retail.Tel: +852 2136 1633
http://www.freeduty.com
Opening hours: 06.30-23.30
