Prowood offers premium Arman Cognac from France, Kilikia brandy from Ararat California-based Prowood Wine & Spirits’ (PWS) offering in Cannes this year is steeped in the mystique and luxury of premium spirits.The brands showcased are led by the aromatic and spicy but delicate Arman Cognac from France and an Armenian brandy called Kilikia, made from finest grapes grown in the Ararat Region. The importer and distributor of exclusive brands for the United States, Canada and Mexico, PWS is billing Arman Cognac, available in both the XO and VSOP expressions, as the jewel in its portfolio, with the “Signature of a royal man.” The company says Arman Extra Old Cognac is a blend of a hundred rare and selected eaux-de-vie from the premier growing areas of France kept in oak barrels for 20 to 50 years to achieve perfection. Kilikia brandy, on the other hand, is available in the XO expression and is named after the Armenian kingdom called Kilikia or “Little Armenia.” This Brandy is aged for 10 years. After tastings, experts described it as strong yet delicate, while at the same time leaving a definite hint of toasted wood and touch of cinnamon. “Since we established PWS in PWS is billing Arman 2003, we have continued to expand Cognac as the jewel in its portfolio, while the portfolio by responding to conKilikia brandy is aged for 10 years and sumer's desire for quality and described as strong exceptionally smooth spirits,” says yet delicate with hints of toasted wood and PWS owner and President Henrik cinnamon Sargsyan. “And that is why we observe the market situation with attention, to do our best to provide quality spirits with excellent taste and one of a kind packaging.” In the US, the company also actively targets different markets with strong promotional media support and sponsorships. It sponsored the USA and World Bartenders' Championship in 2006 and participated in the "internationally spirited vodka sipumentary." The company says that over the past few years it also has become one of the largest importers and distributors of Russian vodka in the US. The company’s namesake brand has three variants: White Gold Original, White Gold Premium (which contains a drop of ginseng extract and whose bottle was also redesigned earlier in 2012) and White Gold Black Edition (positioned as the ultimate vodka for cocktails). The company says that the White Gold brand makes up almost 14% of the premium vodka segment in Russia and is the number one premium vodka brand produced in Moscow. In 2011, the company sold more than 2.5 million 9-liter cases of vodka worldwide. White Gold, the company says, has gained listings with Gebr Heinmann, Aer Rianta International and Dufry Group since it was first launched in the travel retail channel in 2009. In 2011, White Gold and Russian Gold reached numbers 26 and 29, respectively in the top 50 vodka brands in duty free worldwide.
Armand de Brignac Troligie, a beautiful suitcase with two bottles of brut gold and one bottle of Rosé, has been launched with Dufry in selected locations in the Americas
WEBB unleashes special push for the “Champagne of Champions” WEBB, the Florida-based distribution company with an impressive stable of brands, is focusing on Armand de Brignac Champagne and by fall will already have both the Rosé and Brut Gold in all Dufry stores in Santo Domingo, Houston, Aruba, Newark, Seattle and Mexico City. “Sales have been going very well,” said WEBB’s Managing Partner Andy Consuegra just before press time. “We are about to launch Armand de Brignac in the new Nuance store in Las Vegas.” The Champagne with an elite history behind it has already become a top selling brand for WEBB, which is distributing it in travel retail throughout the Americas, as well as domestic markets in the Caribbean and South America.” Consuegra adds that in Dufry, WEBB has rolled out the Armand de Brignac Troligie, which is “a beautiful suitcase with two bottles of brut gold and one bottle of Rosé. The Armand de Brignac Trilogie has been extremely well received by staff and consumers.” Armand de Brignac has been produced by the Cattier family since 1763, who also grow their own grapes in large vineyards in one of the more picturesque areas of the Champagne region. The family continues to run the operation privately with a staff of less than 20, storing the Champagne in what is considered one of the deepest cellars in the region. “Armand de Brignac was rated the number one champagne in the world in 2010 by Fine Champagne magazine and has become the brand for championship celebrations,” says Consuegra. “WEBB is thrilled to be working with Dufry to introduce this brand in travel retail.” Indeed, pop culture is replete with nods to Armand de Brignac. Most recently, following their series-clinching Game 5 victory in basketball’s NBA Finals, the crowned champions Miami Heat celebrated at Miami’s LIV Fontainebleau with Armand de Brignac.
www.dutyfreemagazine.ca THE AMERICAS DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING
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