Whisky Focus - Halewood Expands Its Travel Retail Whisky Offerings

Halewood Artisanal Spirits, known for leading travel retail brands like Whitley Neill gin and Dead Man’s Fingers rum/tequila, will showcase its distinctive, award-winning whisky portfolio at the TFWA World Exhibition this year. These whiskies from across the UK and Ireland are now available in travel retail and will be featured on the Halewood yacht at Harbour Village M/S Accama Delta.

As the only company globally distilling whisky in Scotland, England, and Wales, Halewood’s collection includes Aber Falls Single Malt from North Wales' first distillery in over a century, Bonnington Single Malt from Leith, Edinburgh, and Bankhall British Whisky. The portfolio also features Irish whiskies The Pogues and Samuel Gelston’s.

Aber Falls Whisky, which launched in UK travel retail earlier this year with Avolta, is now available at select airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. Eamon Prunty, Halewood Global Travel Retail Director, expresses satisfaction with its performance, noting its competitive price of £19.99 per liter, which is attracting both whisky enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Joining this acclaimed whisky lineup are brands with unique stories, as expected from Halewood. Bonnington, for instance, marks the first single cask malt release from Leith, Edinburgh’s Lowland distillery in nearly a century. Established in 2017, the distillery’s logo draws from ancient fortification ruins discovered during its construction. Commissioned in December 2019 and operational by March 2020, this sweet, fruity malt with delicate spice and a long finish is limited to just 500 bottles, each hand-signed by distillery manager Jamie Lockhart.

Leith’s rich whisky history is honoured by Bonnington Distillery, which continues the legacy of industry pioneers like John Crabbie and James Wyld. Wyld began his whisky business in Edinburgh's Port of Leith in 1801, later selling to Crabbie and Cree in 1836. John Crabbie & Co, established in 1801, remains legendary in the Scottish whisky industry.

Bankhall British Whisky, rooted in history, pays homage to its original Liverpool distillery site, established in 1790. Alfred Barnard’s 1887 book "Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom" mentions Bank Hall Distillery as one of the four English distilleries producing consumable alcohol at the time. Today, Bankhall celebrates British whisky excellence, offering a growing range, including Single Malt Whisky, innovative British Malts Blend, and captivating limited releases, all aiming to redefine British-made whisky.

In Ireland, The Pogues whiskey range embodies the rebellious spirit of its namesake band. This contemporary Irish brand offers a Blended Whiskey, Single Malt Whiskey, and the unique Streams of Whiskey, inspired by the band’s iconic ballad. This blend of light, fruity Irish whiskey and full-flavoured English whisky, matured in Bourbon casks, delivers a rich vanilla and toffee finish.

Finally, Samuel Gelston’s, a name synonymous with quality and innovation, was founded in 1830 by Samuel Gelston, a prosperous wine and whiskey merchant from Belfast. The brand continues to excel with offerings like the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (Pinot Noir Cask Finish), a collaboration between cousins Johnny Neill, Samuel Gelston’s owner, and actor/vineyard owner Sam Neill. This whiskey is triple-distilled and matured in ex-bourbon casks before spending additional months in French oak casks from Sam’s New Zealand vineyard, offering a unique flavour profile. Presented in a premium gift box, this whiskey, along with Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish Whiskey, Single Malt Irish Whiskey, and Irish Cream liqueur, is ideal for travel retail consumers.

Says Prunty: "We invite retailers to come and discover the rich tapestry of flavour offered by this selection of British, Scottish, Welsh and Irish whiskies– each bottle a testament to the distinct heritage and craftsmanship of its homeland. Perfect for travellers looking to explore new whiskies – and at competitive price points to meet all budgets – this range can be marketed collectively to offer a journey through the diverse spirit of the British Isles."

You will also find the current Halewood's whisky offerings available from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

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