Whisky on the move
Joe Bates on what to look for when in transit
Store Focus
Sky Connection, Hong Kong international airport
It’s not often duty-free shops make headlines around the world, but Hong Kong airport retailer Sky Connection managed just that in February by purchasing the last six bottles of the world’s most expensive whisky, Glenfiddich 1937.
They went on sale for a jaw-dropping price of HK$380,000 (£25,850), but Sky Connection is confident Hong Kong high rollers will snap up all six. Other rarities on offer at the airport include The Macallan 1946 priced at HK$18,000 (£1,225); Glenfiddich 40 Year Old at HK$13,800 (£885) and Glenfiddich 50 Year Old at HK$68,000 (£4,600).
There are plenty of other more affordable whiskies on sale too. Sky Connection offers a regularly changing selection of about 90 blended whiskies, 70 malt whiskies, 50 bourbons and 10 international whiskeys.
Its three best-selling lines are all premium blends – Johnnie Walker Black Label, Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s.
All three brands are regularly promoted with tastings and free gifts such as watches, miniatures and travel bags.
Sky Connection, which trades under the name of Free Duty, has 10 departure stores and four arrivals shops. The company operates a VIP members club, which gives members a 10 per cent discount on all purchases and the chance to relax in an exclusive airport lounge.
Best Buy
Bushmills Malt Select Casks
Irish whiskey and duty-free go back a long way. When the first duty-free shop opened at Shannon airport in 1947 Irish.....
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By Joe Bates
Section : Great whisky retailers
Page number : 45
