Cypriot sunshine (Cyprus)
Joe Bates checks out what the Mediterranean island has to offer the travellers
When it comes to booze, what do you normally bring back from your annual fortnight in the sun? A flagon of the local plonk perhaps, which tasted great al fresco with the sun on your face and salt air on your lips, but turns to vinegar the minute you unpack your suitcase? Or will it be a bottle of the local firewater, which you thought would impress your friends, but is more likely to create panic among anybody offered a glass?
Thankfully, whisky lovers venturing to Cyprus for their hols this year, will get the chance to return with something rather more satisfying as two new malt whisky stores have opened at the islandâs two international airports, Larnaca and Paphos. The new âUisge Beathaâ shops stock about 72 malt whisky brands, including some names which are not normally found on duty-free shelves such as Aberfeldy, Arran, Benromach, Deanston, Edradour, Tomintoul and Tullibardine.
The shopâs owner, CTC-ARI Ltd, is making a big effort to educate prospective customers.
It is giving away free booklets with tasting notes on all the whiskies stocked and a phonetic pronunciation guide to some of more tricky brand names. A large in-store LCD screen gives more detailed information about the distilleries and brands, and there are even some famous whisky quotes from the likes of Winston Churchill, Humphrey Bogart and Mark Twain up on the walls.
The Uisge Beatha shops stock few genuine collectorsâ items as yet, although some highend Glenfiddich vintages will be stocked .....
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By Joe Bates
Section : Travel retail
Page number : 57
