Rare Limited Editions Of Royal Salute Whisky Pop Up At Sydney Airport

Whisky collectors and connoisseurs may be booking tickets to Sydney Airport in the coming weeks to see, taste, and potentially buy five limited editions from luxury whisky house, Royal Salute, that are being presented at Heinemann Australia’s duty-free store.

Royal Salute—an exceptionally aged brand within the Chivas Brothers Scotch whisky division of global drinks giant Pernod Ricard—is being showcased until November 8 in the international departures terminal. The pop-up expressions are described as “ultra prestigious” combining rarity, craftsmanship, and opulence.

The five products are Royal Salute Art Edition, Coronation of King Charles III Edition, Time Series II (51 Year Old), House of Quinn by Richard Quinn, and Royal Salute Platinum Jubilee. While Pernod Ricard did not provide pricing, the company said that it would be displaying a collection worth over 250,000 Australian dollars ($160,100) at the airport. Each one is storied, as is the brand itself (more on that below).

Becky Holliday, regional director for Pernod Ricard Pacific Global Travel Retail, commented: “This collaboration is truly a milestone achievement. Meticulous planning has gone into creating the Royal Salute whisky zone. We feel incredibly privileged to offer such rare whiskies, particularly given the continued demand for luxury in the ultra-premium whisky category.”

According to London-based drinks analyst IWSR, the ultra-prestige category (with bottles retailing for $5,000 or more) has seen strong momentum in duty-free in recent years. From 2014 to 2021, the category had a CAGR of 17.3%, and post-Covid forecasts are optimistic. Whisky is a driver of the alcohol business in global travel retail and IWSR forecasts volumes to record a CAGR increase of 8% between 2023 and 2027.

The rich are on the hunt for rarities

Pernod Ricard’s own research shows that rarity, exclusivity, and high-age statements are the top three purchase drivers for UHNWIs (ultra-high-net-worth individuals) and that collecting is the top mission for this shopper segment (at 39%). The Royal Salute ultra-prestigious collection has been created to cater to these demanding collectors.

For example, the Art Edition – Forces of Nature is a very rare 53-year-old blend presented in hand-blown Dartington Crystal. Just 21 decanters are available worldwide of which only five are in global travel retail. Each one is engraved with intricate feathers, gilded in 24-carat gold leaf, and accompanied by one of 21 pieces of art created by British sculptor Kate MccGwire, whose work is centered on feathers.

The Coronation of King Charles III Edition is a blend of over 53 rare malt and grain whiskies to reflect the year Royal Salute was first crafted to mark the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, and the 21-gun salute that honored her. The King Charles III Edition is a similar tribute.

Another ultra-rare and ultra-limited-edition whisky—with only 101 bottles available globally—is Time Series II (51-year-old). The youngest blends in the expression date back to 1970 and include whiskies from the Scottish distilleries of Strathisla, Longmorn, Glen Keith, and the lost distillery of Caperdonich.

House of Quinn by Richard Quinn is a collaboration with the fashion designer, presented in black Dartington crystal, with the decanters individually numbered and hand-painted with a floral design created by Quinn, ensuring each one is unique and collectible. Finally, Royal Salute Platinum Jubilee is another limited-edition, super-premium whisky launched to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Here, the Dartington crystal decanter and box designs take their inspiration from seven brooches from the Queen’s personal collection.

Heinemann Asia Pacific’s director of purchasing for beauty, liquor, tobacco and confectionery, Ranjith Menon, commented: “This collaboration allows us to showcase an extraordinary assortment of whiskies. The launch positions Heinemann and Sydney Airport as a key stage for luxury brands.”

The retailer stepped up its high-end offer recently by opening within the airport’s Luxury Precinct with an array of exclusive products across fragrance, skincare, makeup, watches and jewelry, and fashion and accessories.