BEAM SUNTORY PRESENTS THE PEATED MALTS OF DISTINCTION COLLECTION

Beam Suntory is pleased to announce a newly named collection of high-quality whiskies from its award-winning distilleries across Scotland and Ireland. Peated Malts of Distinction features four peated malts including new expression The Ardmore Legacy as the entry point to the range, accompanied by Ireland’s Connemara Original, Islay’s Laphroaig Select and Bowmore Small Batch.

The new portfolio capitalises on the company’s leading position in the category and will allow both the trade and consumers to explore an extensive variety of peat flavours and taste profiles. The portfolio launches at a buoyant time for the peated malts category which is experiencing 8% growth rate in the EMEA region (CAGR 2011-2013).

Beam Suntory - Peated Malts of Distinction

Peated malts currently represent 17% of total malt volume sales in EMEA, with Sweden (29%), Germany (25%) and The Netherlands (21%) accounting for over three quarters of peated malt sales in the region.

The Ardmore Legacy is a new expression, aimed at challenging mainstream single malt brands, offering a lightly peated liquid that is sweet and uplifting. The launch coincides with a new identity and positioning for the brand. Appealing to whisky drinkers’ experimental nature, this malt offers an enticing new flavour made from unreleased unpeated Ardmore balanced with the traditional peated malt, which is markedly different from gentle Highland peat whiskies. The bottle boasts a new label and pack design that reflects the spirit of The Ardmore with a symbolic eagle and contour map of Kennethmont, the whisky’s home. The creative design was inspired by the instinctively fearless native golden eagle, soaring the highest heights and protecting the land.

Commenting on the news, Lee Walker, EMEA Regional Brand Manager for Premium Malts at Beam Suntory, said: “The peated malt category is a dynamic segment demonstrating strong growth. Beam Suntory has ambitious plans to utilise its expertise and product range to further innovate and expand the category. We’re in a unique position where we can offer drinkers a variety of taste experiences from gentle to rich peat, and we hope that this unique story will appeal to both novice and whisky enthusiasts the world over.”

Peated Malts of Distinction are available across the on and off-trade in global markets and will be supported by global marketing communication activities from October and continue for the run up to Christmas 2014.

Source: Focus PR