Elementary My Dear Kinsman

No matter how many times I attend the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, the show always manages to pack in a few surprises in terms of the whiskies unveiled there. This year's show was no exception with major new releases from Grant's, Jameson and The Macallan catching my eye.

It was perhaps fitting that in a week the media celebrated reaching 21.10.15 - the date to which Marty McFly travelled through time in the Hollywood film Back to the Future II - that science was the inspiration for Grant's Elementary, one of the biggest new launches at Cannes.

William Grant & Sons has never made duty free a priority for Grant's in the same way as its single malts, Glenfiddich and The Balvenie. The new Elementary range clearly seeks to redress the imbalance. Comprising three expressions inspired by elements that play a key role in the whisky making process, Elementary features the gently peated Carbon 6 Years Old, Oxygen 8 Years Old, a blended grain whisky, and the sweet, smoky Copper 29 Years Old.

My pick of the three was Grant's Oxygen 8 Years Old (eight being the atomic number of Oxygen). Jameson The Deconstructed Series and The Macallan Rare Cask Black were also amoung my Cannes top picks.


BEST BUY

Cragganmore

43 Years Old

Special releases from this well regarded Speyside distillery destined for Travel Retail have been as rare as hen's teeth, so it's great to see this new whisky land exclusively at Dubai Duty Free (DDF).

Cragganmore is feted for its complex flavours and aromas. The new Cragganmore 43 Years Old is the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery as a single-malt. You'll need $3,800 (£2,477) to take this beauty home with you.


RECOMMENDED

The Singleton of Glendullan

Classic

This entry-level release is one of three new Travel Retail exclusive Singleton of Glendullan whiskies hitting airport shop shelves this month. Owner Diageo is clearly looking to expand its range of single malt Travel Retail exclusives at a range of price points.

Bottled at 40% ABV, The Singleton of Glendullan Classic is a fresh, fruity everyday drinking Speyside whisky, packing in juicy flavours of green apple and ripe pear. This exclusive is Malt of the Month at World of Whiskies stores located in airport terminals across the UK, one litre bottles retailing at £59.99.