William Grant and Nuance partner to launch oldest exclusive Tullamore DEW variant

William Grant & Sons has joined forces with Nuance to launch an exclusive Tullamore DEW 14 Year Old Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish, available solely through the retailer’s key European airport outlets from July 2013.

The oldest variant of Tullamore DEW available to date, the launch is primarily to strengthen Tullamore DEW's leadership position in its core markets through Nuance such as Sweden and Switzerland; to build the brand in developing markets such as Portugal and Turkey; and to support William Grant's and Nuance's expansion and growth plans. Airports offering the exclusive variation will initially include Zurich, Antalya, Arlanda (Stockholm) and Lisbon, with Malta and Geneva set to follow.

Tullamore DEW 14Year Old Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish is presented in a new premium design one litre bottle within a gift box; part of the New packaging range launched in Q2 of 2013. The 14 year old Single Malt Irish whiskey is finished for 8 months in hand selected Old Olorosso Sherry casks.

Says WGS Europe Regional Director, André de Almeida : 'The introduction of Tullamore DEW 14 Year Old Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish continues our policy of developing limited editions for Nuance, one of William Grant & Son’s key strategic partners in global travel retail.

'We believe that global travel retail is the ideal route for driving premiumisation of the brand, with exclusives such as this 14 year old enhancing the perception of Tullamore DEW as a premium, unique Irish whiskey, with strong whiskey credentials. We think this launch is a great way to accomplish that.’

Adds Nuance Commercial Director Europe, Alexander Anson: We are delighted to offer this exclusive product across our stores in Europe. I am certain Tullamore DEW 14Year Old Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish will be welcomed by travellers visiting our stores in search of unique high quality liquors. Nuance truly values the partnership we share with William Grant and we look forward to continuing our cooperation.

The launch is being supported by high profile branded merchandising display and activation including tastings and a video tutored tasting by the brand’s Global Brand Ambassador during the summer months.

Tasting notes: Nose: Tullamore DEW 14 Year Old Single Malt Sherry Cask Finish has a lively citrus character with rich vanilla oak notes and floral aromas of lavender and violets gently intertwined with fresh berries. This is accompanied by a complex and rounded single malt taste, with the fruitiness of ripe berries. The influence of sherry cask adds a sweet spice note with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. It has a rich, golden single malt finish with long lingering sweetness culminating in a touch of dry tannin.

Ends

Further information:

Trade enquiries: Ian Taylor, William Grant & Sons

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8334 1232 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8332 1695

E-mail emma.humphreys@wgrant.com

Press enquiries: Rowena Holland, Essential Communications

Tel: +44 (0)208 405 8109Fax: +44 (0) 208 405 0330

Mobile: +44 (0) 7710 219784

Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

Notes to Editors:

• William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s most awarded single malt Glenfiddich^®, The Balvenie^® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s fourth largest blended Scotch Grant’s^® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s^® Gin, Sailor Jerry^® and, most recently, Tullamore Dew^® Irish Whiskey.

• As a leading travel retailer, Nuance operates about 72’000 square metres of retail space spanning 64 locations in 19 countries and territories across the globe. In addition to an extensive portfolio of duty and tax-free stores, brand boutiques and concept stores, the Group also provides in-flight services and operates a wholesale and distribution business, supporting the travel retail sector. Headquartered in Zurich, Nuance employs 5,400 people worldwide. For more information visit www.thenuancegroup.com.

• Tullamore has a proud history of distilling whiskey going back to at least 1782 when the first record of activity on the site of the former distillery occurs. At that time there were thousands of stills dotted throughout Ireland.

The distillery itself was founded by Michael Molloy in 1829 and was initially one of the smaller distilleries in the area. In 1893, under Daniel E. Williams the Tullamore Dew brand was created. Tullamore Dew quickly took off as Irish whiskey enjoyed a heyday in the early part of the 20^th Century until Prohibition seriously curtailed the American market. Political instability at home and the subsequent Economic War led to the demise of Irish whiskey, with Scotch much more organised in terms of volume and ability to get product to market when Prohibition ended. By the 1950s Irish whiskey was only a fraction of its former size and most prominent in the US as an ingredient in Irish Coffee which was becoming popular on the West Coast through the legendary Buena Vista bar in San Francisco.

The Tullamore distillery closed in 1954 and the brand went through a number of ownerships as the entire Irish whiskey industry rationalised in subsequent years. It become part of the William Grant & Sons family in 2010 and is about to come home to Tullamore for the first time in almost 60 years. As the second largest Irish whiskey brand globally it is enjoying significant growth throughout the world and playing its part in celebrating and renewing this key aspect of Irish heritage.

• William Grant & Sons Ltd was recently awarded the 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) Distiller of the Year at the annual Awards banquet in London in November 2011
  

• Click on www.williamgrant.com or www.tullamoredew.com for more information on the Company and Tullamore Dew.