Images of the Day – Heathrow Airport and Avolta launch month-long Whisky Social Club campaign

Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Duty Free Global from Ireland, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.

UK. Our latest image choices come courtesy of London Heathrow Airport, which is relaunching its annual whisky festival under the name Whisky Social Club in partnership with Avolta.

Running through May across all Heathrow terminals, it features whisky-pairings curated by whisky expert and content creator Alwynne Gwilt, known as Miss Whisky. Travellers can also try whisky-themed dishes and discover products exclusive to the airport.

The series of new, interactive events and pop-ups includes:

• Free whisky tastings and expert-led masterclasses led by brand ambassadors from Glen Moray, Bowmore, Tomintoul, Glen Scotia, Fable, Glenfiddich and Pernod Ricard
• Miss Whisky’s Signature Food Pairings – chocolate or cheese pairings with whiskies curated by Miss Whisky
• Live engraving stations – passengers can personalise a bottle of whisky
• Innovative tasting tech – Using the Lift & Learn station travellers can watch tasting notes and brand stories appear on screen.

During Whisky Social Club, travellers have exclusive access to travel retail-only releases available at Heathrow including Fable’s The Lighthouse, McArthur, Gulls and London Edition whiskies.

Participating Heathrow restaurants are presenting whisky-inspired dishes and cocktails across the terminals:

• Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen, Terminal 2: Ribs & Wings with a spicy Monkey Shoulder whisky glaze (priced £28.45)
• Shan Shui, Terminal 2: Wok-fried Whiskey Vermicelli Prawns (£15.95)
• Caviar House & Prunier, Terminal 3: Scottish Smoked Salmon with Woodford Reserve (£27.95)
• The Curator, Terminal 3: The Godfather Sour – whisky, Disaronno, lemon juice, sugar syrup and bitters (£12.50)
• Spuntino, Terminal 3: New York Sour – bourbon, sour mix, Cointreau and Merlot float (£12.00)
• Pilots Bar & Kitchen and Co-Pilots Bar & Kitchen, Terminal 4: Traditional Cranachan with Scottish raspberry compote, heather honey and whisky cream (£8.25)
• Gordon Ramsay Plane Food, Terminal 5: Matcha Sour – Jameson Black Barrel whiskey, matcha syrup, lemon juice, pineapple juice and egg white (£15.00)

Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown said: “Our vision for Whisky Social Club was to bring to life the timelessness and character of whisky for passengers travelling through Heathrow. This immersive experience showcases the best of British and global whiskies and invites passengers to discover something new, personal and flavourful, whether as a gift or a souvenir of their travels.”

Alwynne Gwilt (Miss Whisky) commented: “Whisky, like air travel, can take you on a journey around the world and offer a window into centuries of tradition. I’m proud to partner with Avolta and Heathrow to introduce travellers to unique flavour combinations that can only be unlocked through the signature food pairings I’ve curated for Whisky Social Club.”

Heathrow Rewards members gain double points at participating restaurants from 1 May along with the chance to enter a Glen Moray prize draw, offering two tickets to the 2025 Senior Open Golf Championship at Sunningdale this July.

Whisky Social Club can also be accessed without travelling, with guides, tasting tips from Miss Whisky and prize competitions at heathrow.com/whisky