Ian Macleod strengthens GTR exclusives

Ian Macleod has expanded its Edinburgh Gin range with an Orange and Basil flavour that it previewed at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference.

The industry-wide launch follows a favourable reception after being initially launched on easyJet earlier this year. “It has a really balanced flavour profile, both herby and citron, as a result it is so smooth you can drink it straight” explained Ian Macleod’s global travel retail director, William Ovens, to the drinks business at the exhibition this week.

Meanwhile, Ian Macleod continues to refine its range of travel retail exclusive speciality single malts, including Shieldaig “American Oak Reserve” which Ovens describes as “a traditional speciality single malt with an accessible price point.” Also exclusive to travel retail is White Cask, named for the white oak used in the barrels – “this is a malt aimed at a new space, a more contemporary consumer, perhaps taking their first steps into malts from blends or bourbons” explains Ovens. Slightly stronger, with an ABV if 41.1%, White Cask is set to be exclusive to travel retail for two years: “Like many brands represented at this event we see travel retail as a great opportunity to ‘seed’ a product before its introduction to wider markets.”

‘As We Get It’ is another Ian Macleod travel retail exclusive which is currently being ‘decanted’ into
more clearer and informative packaging, the drinks giant told db.

Ovens revealed: “‘As We Get It’ is so-named because it comes straight from the cask, hence its natural colour and cask strength of 60.6% ABV, in limited batches of 10-20 casks, meaning that each bottle is unique and numbered.”