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SPECIAL REPORT: TFWA World Exhibition

New products and new packaging was unveiled at the global travel retail exhibition in Cannes.

The TFWA World Exhibition – the world’s largest meeting place for brand owners and tax/duty-free travel retailers – once againthis year saw the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on the French Riviera packed with hundreds of premium brand exhibitors. The Drinks Report highlights just some of the activities and launches by the wines and spirits brands.

François de Fonbelle has redesigned its selection cases of premium Champagne, Cognac, whisky and other spirit brands (pictured below).

Rodolphe Grosset, Fonbelle’s director justifies the renewal: “This historical range has been existing since the creation of the company. Its style has been adjusted over the years to keep meeting the customers’ expectations. However, the selection of the spirits has not changed as already gathers in these gift sets the most famous and representative brands.”

The company introduced an ‘upscale version’ of its Wine Travel Case (above), which holds a “renowned Saint-Emilion wine”. This new version is complementary to the Wine Travel Case’s first edition that holds a Medoc wine bottle and which has been a great success among travelers. It is easy to carry and represents added value.

Absolut Watkins is the latest limited edition flavour from the Absolut vodka brand. It was launched by Pernod Ricard at the TFWA exhibition in Cannes last month exclusively for the travel retail market and will be available globally in January 2011.
The new flavour is said to have “qualities of freshly ground coffee with notes of almond, caramel and warm chilli”.
The 'cosmopolitan traveller' illustrations were were created by Swedish fashion illustrator and artist, Liselotte Watkins.

Brown-Forman introduced a line extention to its Chambord black raspberry liqueur with a Chambord flavoured vodka that is will be on duty free shelves from November, 2010.
The 75-proof vodka comes in an orb-shaped 75cl bottle (similar to the distinctive liqueur bottle, which has also been given a more contemporary look) accented with chrome detailing. The product is a striking transparent lavender colour derived in part from the natural fruit flavouring.

Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail revealed a new premium image for Mount Gay Rum Eclipse and Eclipse Silver. The Barbadian rums have been given a more contemporary, slimmer bottle shape, an engraved brand crest and a more refined style of labelling to reflect the heritage and quality of the 300 year old rum.
The latest designs unite Eclipse and Eclipse Silver with other rums in the portfolio including Mount Gay Rum Extra Old and Mount Gay 1703 which were revealed recently.

Brown-Forman unveilled several new products including: Chambord Flavored Vodka – a 75-proof vodka in an orb-shaped 75cl bottle – on duty free shelves in November, 2010; and Southern Comfort Special Reserve – a global TR exclusive that combines the essence of fruits and spices with premium barrel-aged bourbon.

Other products introduced included: Woodford Reserve Maplewood Finish – the latest edition in the Masters Collection; and Jack Daniel’s “Scenes of Lynchburg 11”. This new edition in the series of collectable bottles featuring etchings of various locations around Lynchburg, Tennessee, features the Cave Spring at the Jack Daniel Distillery and is exclusive to TR.

Bacardi Global Travel Retail Division has introduced Martini Gold in packaging designed by Dolce&Gabbana, the internationally known Italian fashion house.

Described as a contrast between the aromatic flavours of the Mediterranean world and the exoticism of a spice bazaar”, the botanical blend for this super-premium expression of the Italian vermouth includes saffron, myrrh, ginger and bergamot.

Dolce&Gabbana’s luxury packaging features a black gift box with the Martini ball and bar logo and a gold plaque framing the Dolce&Gabbana boutique sign. Inside of which is a smooth shouldered gold bottle. Average RRP €23.00 in duty free.

Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail introduced a Fine Champagne Cognac exclusively for the travel retail channels.

The new Rémy Martin Diamant consists of 300 to 400 of rare eaux-de-vie from Grande and Petite Champagne crus.

The chiselled glass carafe with highly polished facets is topped with a silver collar and a stopper bearing the noble centaur emblem of Rémy Martin. And a presentation coffret in metallic silver with bevelled edges is ingeniously designed to open backwards to reveal the decanter and to act as a display case on shelf.

The Cognac has an RSP of US$1,000, and will be at Singapore Changi from October until being rolled out worldwide in December.

Tomintoul Distillery, owned by Angus Dundee Distillers, has released a limited edition 12 YO single malt finished for 20 months in Portwood casks. Bottling was at 46% abv without chill-filtration and with no added colouring.

The expression is supplied in cases of 6 x 70cl bottles, each presented in a cylindrical tube, and will be available in Europe and Asia travel retail. RRP £27 a bottle.

The Tomintoul range now consists of eight expressions: Peaty Tang; 10 and 16 YO; 12 YO finished in Oloroso sherry casks; 12 YO finished in portwood; 14 YO at 46% abv; the 1976 Vintage and the 33 YO.

William Grant & Sons has created a new
look for its Glenfiddich brand, exclusive to travel retail, and supported by its largest investment in merchandising across the channel.

A new single malt – Glenfiddich Age of Discovery - was unveiled in Cannes and this year will see several new appointments within Grant's travel retaill team – plus more high profile activities for Glenfiddich, Grant’s, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin and Tullamore Dew.