Rarest Craigellachie Whisky, Exclusively at LHR

Bacardi Global Travel Retail released the oldest, rarest and most expensive Craigellachie bottling (available to purchase) through a World Duty Free exclusive at Heathrow Airport earlier this year. Available in all terminals at Heathrow, all 138 bottles are individually numbered. Customers could also purchase the whisky through the Heathrow Boutique Reserve & Collect service.

At £3,499.99 per bottle (equivalent to CHF 4,165), the launch was supported by activities across the airport, including the wifi platform, digital screens in the World Duty Free stores and with targeted messages to members of RED by Dufry. All customers purchasing the travel retail exclusive were entered into a competition to win a luxury trip to Scotland, including a Craigellachie whisky pairing dinner in Edinburgh, a personally-guided tour of the city’s bars, a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery and an overnight stay at the Craigellachie Hotel, as part of the fantastic three-day trip.

Distilled in 1980, the whisky was laid down in a refill Bourbon Hogshead, and in 2019 was singled out by Stephanie MacLeod for its notes of delicate oak, charred pineapple and toasted cereal. After 39 years of ageing, 138 bottles remain of this exceptional whisky, each bottled from a single cask at 51.5% ABV with no caramel coloring added and non-chill filtration.

Dufry UK Liquor Category Manager Paul Martin highlighted that, “Craigellachie 39 Year Old is a fantastic launch for us and perfectly fits our mission to present rare and exclusive opportunities to our whisky customers.”

David Hughes, Regional Director Europe, Bacardi Global Travel Retail noted that since it first launched in travel retail in 2016, “Craigellachie has gone from strength to strength thanks to its multi-award winning success and the following of its many fans who adore its bold character. We are excited to launch the 39 Year Old expression in the luxury retail setting of World Duty Free at Heathrow, giving us the opportunity to share this special release with a discerning, international audience.”

Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown concluded: “ Heathrow is always proud to showcase the best of Britain in our products. That is why we are so pleased to be able to extend our diverse selection of Scotch Whisky and welcome this exclusive and rare edition of Craigellachie 39YO. Passengers now have another reason to consider Heathrow the world’s best airport shopping experience.”