Page 67 - TFWA World Exhibit 2024 Special Edition

INSIDER

suppliers from the UK, who are able to been pleased to see online, the subsequent
reach South American consumers for the reaction of Brazilian whisky consumers
first time. Clearly, we will need to support drinking and commenting on the whiskies
the operators with sampling and education brought to the region by Inside the Cask
to grow the demand for these products with Ltd.”
consumers.” Besides his consultancy, de Almeida
De Almeida says this will not be an manages his own website, Inside the Cask,
overnight success story on the borders of where he shares his insights, knowledge,
Brazil, but he sees long-term potential as he jobs and passion for the drinks industry.
brings more new brands to the region. He has also been selected as a jury
“Some border stores are more willing member for prestigious awards such as
to engage and offer a diverse range than the Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial
others and this is very much a medium- de Bruxelles (Belgium 2021, Guadeloupe
term project. Developing economies such 2022, Italy 2023, China 2024) and the
as those in South America require a patient Scottish Whisky Awards (2024).
approach and I have been fortunate to find “I am open to non-executive director Inside the Cask Ltd’s initial project in the South
plenty of support also from the distilleries roles and other opportunities where I can America region is with a Uruguay/ Brazil
and independent bottlers in the UK,” he leverage my expertise and network to border operator selling to Brazilian consumers
says. create value and growth for drinks brands with multiple stores and presence in cities such
“It was fantastic to be in Uruguay and worldwide,” says de Almeida. as Rivera (Uruguay) and Uruguaiana (Brazil).
hear first-hand that most of the stock had
been sold as it hit the shop floor, due to Andre de Almeida can be contacted at
the diversity of offer available. I have also andre@insidethecask.com

The Balvenie launches The Balvenie Fifty Collection, trio of rare whiskies

The Balvenie has announced the
release of The Balvenie Fifty Collection, a
series of three of its rarest whiskies to date.
The company will release only 125
bottles annually over the next three years,
starting with the First Edition, a unique
single cask expression (cask number 8720),
aged in a European oak refill butt, filled in
1973 and selected by Malt Master, Kelsey
McKechnie.
For the Second Edition McKechnie
introduces a second American oak
hogshead cask filled in 1973 to marry with
the first, before adding a third American
oak barrel filled in a 1974 cask to the
marriage for the final Edition.
Balvenie calls the three whiskies
a seamless trilogy that represents the
interwoven stories of craftsmanship at the Edition in this collection provides us the helix structure with a tolerance for error
Speyside distillery over the last 50 years. with a distinctive flavor thread that of less than 1/10th of a millimeter, and a
“Each Edition in this collection is a will run through our next two releases, crafted 14 carat gold plated brass display.
testament to the craftsmanship that has demonstrating the spectrum of flavors There will be 13 bottles of The
defined our liquid over the past 50 years. and aromas in our aged spirit. It is a Balvenie Fifty First Edition available in the
The unique characteristics of these rare celebration of our legacy, our passion, and travel retail channel worldwide launching
casks come together to create a truly our unwavering commitment to producing from September 2024. The Second Edition
exceptional experience and set a new some of the finest whiskies in the world.” and Third Edition will launch in 2025 and
benchmark for our contribution to the The Balvenie Fifty Collection features 2026.
rare and extraordinary whisky market at packaging developed by Croglin; a bespoke The Balvenie Fifty First Edition ABV
Balvenie,” says Kelsey McKechnie, Malt craft workshop based in Cumbria. Each 52.3% RRP £42,500 will be released from
Master. presentation contains over 100 different September throughout the final quarter of
“Using a refill butt for the First elements, including four layers of wood in 2024 in key airport locations globally.

67 October 2024