As the summer holiday season unfolds, travelers are flocking to airports around the world. Amidst the bustling departure lounges, an exciting variety of exclusive whiskies await—a selection you won’t find in regular retail stores. These travel retail exclusives introduce unique flavors, pushing established brands and fresh faces alike into innovative territories.
Here’s a curated list of six exceptional travel retail-exclusive whiskies that you should consider on your next airport visit.
Benriach | Smoky Quarter Cask
The Benriach distillery, an innovative gem in Speyside, has been ahead of its time since the 1970s. Pioneers in lightly peated single malts, they have produced smoky whisky intermittently for decades, boasting the oldest smoky stocks in the region. This particular bottling matures in quarter casks, which hold about 100 liters, offering a distinct character.
Using peat sourced from nearby Aberdeenshire, Benriach’s whisky presents a gentle, woody smoke that contrasts sharply with traditional Islay peat. It first matures in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred to American oak quarter casks for further aging.
The result is a smooth, sweet smokiness intertwined with delightful notes of ripe red apple, vanilla, and hazelnut praline. Simply exceptional.
Fable | Piper Chapter 7
Fable is redefining the whisky experience by employing captivating storytelling accompanied by vivid illustrations from Bolivian artist Hugo Cuellar. Their line mostly features single cask releases, and the Piper Chapter 7 continues this tradition—a 13-year-old single malt from the lesser-known Glen Elgin distillery in Speyside.
Bottled at a robust 55.8% ABV, this whiskey is non-chill filtered and retains its natural color. Expect delightful notes of caramelized banana, green apple, and toasted malt, with only 575 bottles available. This represents the pinnacle of Speyside craftsmanship. Don’t miss your chance to grab one!
Fettercairn | 17 Years Old
Commemorating its 200th anniversary in 2024, Fettercairn has refreshed its travel retail range, introducing the 17-year-old expression, which occupies a central spot among its 14- and 25-year-old offerings.
This whisky exclusively matures in ex-bourbon barrels and is bottled at a striking 47% ABV. It’s a prime opportunity to discover this underrated Highland distillery.
On the nose, it bursts with tropical aromas—think chargrilled pineapple, overripe mango, and fresh coconut. The palate is full-bodied with golden syrup, vanilla pod, and apricot compote, rounded off beautifully with hints of bitter orange and white pepper. It’s silky, elegant, and simply divine.
Glendronach | 16 Years Old
Glendronach, located in scenic Aberdeenshire, is celebrated for its use of exquisite ex-sherry casks. This travel retail exclusive elevates that tradition, as Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie blends three cask types: ex-Oloroso, ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry, and ex-Port barrels from Portugal’s Douro Valley.
The addition of ex-Port maturation enhances Glendronach’s signature profile of depth and sweetness. Anticipate flavors of caramelized apricot, milk chocolate, and cinnamon, intermingled with spiced plum, candied orange, and sandalwood. A warming hint of gingerbread adds a comforting finish.
This is a whisky that is sumptuous, classy, and utterly delicious.
Method & Madness | Amburana Wood Finish
Venturing into experimental territory, the Method & Madness range reimagines Irish whiskey. This airport exclusive represents one of their most unusual creations yet.
Crafted at the Midleton Micro Distillery in County Cork, this single-pot still whiskey undergoes a six-month finish in amburana wood—traditionally used for aging Brazilian Cachaça. It’s a groundbreaking feature in Irish whiskey.
Amburana wood lends a unique character, showcasing notes of cardamom, marzipan, and demerara sugar, paired with hazelnut syrup, cinnamon, heather honey, and a hint of clove oil.
This whiskey invites exploration, perfect for those travelers eager to taste something unconventional.
The Singleton | Deep Forest Riches
The Singleton is one of the best-selling single malt Scotch whiskies in the world, and its owner, Diageo, has announced a new travel retail range: The Singleton Gardens of Abundance. This collection boasts four whiskies, all distilled at the Glendullan distillery in Speyside, with price points ranging from around £50 to over £200 for this offering.
Deep Forest Riches epitomizes this range, featuring a diverse blend of four cask types—European oak barrels followed by finishing periods in ex-Marsala wine, ex-Palo Cortado, and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.
Bottled at 44.8% ABV, this whisky is an explosion of rich aromas and flavors, merging notes of raisins, dates, and dark chocolate with hints of hazelnut, black treacle, and juicy sultana.
It’s an elegant and luxurious experience.
