BALLANTINE’S CHRISTMAS RESERVE IN DEMAND AHEAD OF FESTIVE SEASON

Ballantine’s, the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, is rolling out Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve Limited Edition to more markets than ever before this year, due to increased demand from markets looking to capitalize on the lucrative festive season.

The third edition of Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve will now be available in fifteen markets – including France, Germany, Poland and China – following the success of the limited edition seasonal expression since 2010.

To support this year’s release, the brand is launching a new Facebook app that invites users to virtually ‘pass the parcel’ to their friends, with a chance of winning a bottle of Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve. To further engage consumers with the festive blend, the app provides seasonal recipes made with Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve, including mince pies and Clementine Bauble cocktails.

Peter Moore, International Brand Director for Ballantine’s, comments: “The festive period is notoriously competitive for retailers, so we’re delighted to be offering Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve to more of our customers around the world this year. This special edition provides consumers seeking the ideal festive gift with exceptional quality and excellent value.”

He continues, “Our customers rightly expect fresh thinking from Ballantine’s so we hope our new Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve Facebook app will be well received and will help spread some festive spirit this Christmas.”

Available from October to December 2012, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is presented in a superior white presentation box, decorated with snowflakes and elements of gold foil. The design adds a premium festive feel and ensures maximum shelf stand-out for Ballantine’s during the busy sales period.

With its luxury seasonal aromas including cinnamon, orange, raisin, candy apple and pear, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is ideal served on its own over ice or as the base for seasonal cocktails.

To access the Facebook app, consumers are asked to visit: Ballantines facebook

Notes:

*The facebook app is available to consumer in the UK, Poland, Bulgaria and Germany

About Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve
Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is available in Switzerland, France, Mexico, Netherlands, Vietnam, Poland, Denmark, Bulgaria, China, Thailand, Germany, Slovenia, Taiwan, Croatia and Hong Kong.

On the nose, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is rich, deep and fruity with hints of moist raisin fruitcake and sweet candy apples perfectly balanced out by caramel toffees and soft ripe pears. It tastes sweet with succulent tangy orange and a superb liquorice root and ginger flavour. The finish is very long, round and sweet.

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com