Travel exclusive: Laphroaig Brodir Port Wood

Beam Suntory in collaboration with Maxxium Travel Retail is introducing Laphroaig Brodir Port Wood, made from the finest double matured Laphroaig, exclusively in European travel retail this month.

Laphroaig Brodir Port Wood is the second in a series of limited edition expressions specially selected for annual release. The first, Laphroaig Brodir 13 YO, was introduced in 2012 at the Viking Line Whisky Fair. Brodir, which means brother in ancient Norse, celebrates Scotland’s long connection with the Nordic region and culture and this latest release from the world’s number one Islay malt continues that commemoration.

The making of Brodir Port Wood begins with a first maturation that takes place in ex-bourbon barrels followed by a second maturation in European oak casks seasoned with Ruby Port. It’s the combination of woods and the influence of port that add a complexity to this expression that differs from its predecessor. Laphroaig Brodir Port Wood has an ABV of 48% and retails at €110 for a 700ml bottle.

This launch joins a series of Laphroaig travel retail exclusives released during 2012 and 2013: Laphroaig QA Cask, Laphroaig PX Cask and Laphroaig An Cuan Mór. It will be communicated and made available to the Friends of Laphroaig, an active on and offline community that links and rewards fans of Laphroaig (over 500,000 Friends worldwide), as well as whisky connoisseurs and Islay enthusiasts.

Beam Suntory GTR marketing director, Michael Cockram says: “Laphroaig Brodir Port Wood is an exciting product that builds on the already acclaimed range of travel retail exclusives. This new expression gives a wider audience the chance to experience a premium Islay single malt Scotch whisky that has been selected specifically for this channel.”

Maxxium Travel Retail MD, Glen Williams says: “Laphroaig is a coveted brand and the travel retail channel provides the perfect platform to introduce an exclusive product such as Brodir Port Wood. Laphroaig has a loyal following and new expressions of this brand are highly sought after. We anticipate this special launch will follow the success of its predecessor and other expressions in the portfolio, generating excitement within the category.”

9 October 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor