Latest posts by Martin Moodie (see all)
I’m flying at 35,000 feet, somewhere between Omsk and my old haunt of Novosibirsk. I’m bound for Hong Kong and the launch of an extraordinary single malt whisky that, like me, has been around for a long, long time, but which unlike me is reputed to still be in impeccable condition.
I won’t reveal too many details yet but the malt in question is the great Speyside Glen Grant, now owned by fast-rising Italian drinks group Campari. As I write it’s already morning in Hong Kong, where tonight a stunning, invitation-only event is promised at The Peninsula. More to follow on that subject.
I guess I must travel as much as most in this industry. Certainly Novosibirsk (where I’ve never ventured other than to fly above it) feels like a second home. As do Heathrow, Hong Kong and Incheon airports in particular. I’m prepared to wager that my photo library is among the industry’s best. Certainly I would stake anything I own on the fact that I have been asked to put my camera away more than anyone in travel retail. If Humphrey Bogart were playing in my planned blockbuster movie ‘Free of Duty’, he would be the travel retail shopkeeper who sees me (please, no suggestions on who should play me) and says, “Of all the duty free shops in all the towns in all the world, he walks into mine…”
As I travel, I see (and photograph) the good, the bad and the ugly of the travel retail world. So this year, in good Facebook style, I’m going to include in my Blog some of my ‘Moodie likes’ and dislikes, hopefully more of the former though I promise not to hold back on the latter. Watch this space, first I’ve got a very special tasting to attend.