UK. Heathrow Airport’s annual Whisky Festival kicked off today. A month-long series of events celebrating the spirit in collaboration with World Duty Free, it offers nearly 100 of the world’s most sought-after whisky brands.
This year’s festival, running from 15 April to 14 May, includes exclusive global product launches showcasing whisky from rare and vintage bottles to contemporary new blends.
In 2023, whisky products accounted for 70% of all spirits sales at Heathrow Airport, with an average of three bottles sold per minute, the airport company noted.
During this year’s Whisky Festival, Whisky Ambassadors are on hand in each terminal helping passengers to select gifts and souvenir bottles.
As part of the events programme, Brand Ambassadors from premium wine & spirits company Pernod Ricard will be visiting the airport to lead free whisky masterclasses in Terminal 5 on dates in April and May. They will share tasting and serving tips developed by the drinks company’s master blenders.
Brands including Fable, Wildmoor and Bushmills will be launching airport-exclusive products during the festival. The Dalmore will celebrate the global launch of its limited-edition Luminary No 2 2024 Edition single malt.
Foodies are also targeted by the festival this year, with samples of whisky-infused menu items crafted by chefs from a range of Heathrow’s bars and restaurants.
Among the festival-exclusive meals are Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen’s pulled pork burger with Monkey Shoulder glaze; Caviar House & Prunier’s smoked salmon with Woodford Reserve; and The Commission by D&M’s sirloin steak with ginger whisky cocktail.
As part of the festivities, Heathrow is offering Heathrow Rewards members the opportunity to win either two bottles of featured festival whiskies or the full range of Fable whiskies with limited-edition label prints. Each collection from Fable is decorated with eye-catching illustrations, taken from a traditional Scottish myth created for the brand by animator Hugo Cuellar, The Ghost of Clanyard Bay. [Read our article about the creation of the Fable brand here].
Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown said: “As the world’s most-connected airport, the annual Whisky Festival is an opportunity for us to celebrate the growing number of master-crafted world whiskies, as well as the great British brands creating one of our key exports.
“Whether picking up a bottle as a gift for a loved one or travel souvenir, Heathrow shoppers choose whisky over any other spirit. We are looking forward to hosting an exciting series of events that will introduce passengers to new ways to serve and enjoy whisky when they reach their destinations.” ✈
