Beam Suntory has extended the reach of its Ao multi-nation whisky beyond its launch markets of Japan and Global Travel Retail.
The brand comprises whisky/whiskey from the group’s distilleries in Scotland [Ardmore and Glen Garioch], Ireland [Cooley] Canada [Alberta], the US [Jim Beam] and Japan [Yamazaki and Hakushu]. Building on its debut in Japan and the GTR channel, the blend has been rolled out to Canada, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.
In Canada, a 70cl bottle of the “world whisky” retails for CAD104.95 [US$78.50].
Ao, meaning ‘blue’ in Japanese, has a five-sided bottle, representing the five whisky-/whiskey-producing countries.
Late last year, Beam Suntory was linked to a possible divestment of Pinnacle Vodka and “other vodka businesses and liquor assets such as Cruzan Rum”. The group would not be drawn on the speculation and the brands remain in the portfolio for now.
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