White Horse Gold to make timely China debut

Diageo Global Travel and Middle East has announced the launch of White Horse Gold Edition 1890 to travel retail.

Released as the Chinese calendar enters the Year of the Horse, White Horse Gold Edition 1890 will be available exclusively to Asia-Pacific from mid-December and will be rolled out to Europe and the Middle East from January 2014.

The limited edition whisky, which is available for US$23 for 1 litre, will not be available beyond June 2014.

According to Diageo, the whisky is a blend malt and grain whisky from the Highlands and Islay, including scotch from Lagavulin.

Diageo said of the whisky: “It is a creamy, sweet and robust flavour, crisp, vibrant fruits and full-bodied, oaky wood complement deep malt and rich toffee-apple tones, giving way to a smooth, warm and delicately smoky finish. Best enjoyed neat over ice."

1890 was the year White Horse was first introduced to the world by Peter Mackie; the brand takes its name from the White Horse Cellar Inn in Edinburgh, near where the Mackie family lived.

Steve White, global marketing director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, said: “We are thrilled to offer White Horse Gold Edition 1890, fittingly in the Chinese Year of the Horse. In Chinese culture, the horse symbolises power and success, so we are hopeful that the launch of this special blend, crafted to celebrate the Year of the Horse, will echo this sentiment.

“We are confident that this limited edition travel retail exclusive will appeal to the Asian traveller.”