‘Connecting Fans Virtually and in Real Life’: Scotch Brand Ballantine’s Expands Esports Presence With Dota 2-Themed Whisky
Ballantine’s released two limited-edition Dota 2 whiskies. (Photo: Ballantine’s)
Scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s has kept up its momentum within the gaming and Esports space with the Chinese launch of two “Dota 2”-themed whiskies, Esports Insider reported Tuesday.
The whiskies were a part of a collaboration with Valve, a gaming company. The limited-edition expressions were launched with the company in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena title.
Ballantine’s is also set to release a short film, featuring the Dota 2 characters on a quest to procure some whisky.
“Dota 2 is a globally iconic game, with a particularly big influence within China’s gaming community, so it was a no-brainer for us to work together during this historic year for the game,” stated Matthieu Deslandes the Global Marketing Director for Chivas Brothers in a statement reported by Esports Insider. “Esports is not just the future of entertainment, but the present, and this partnership is an exciting venture into the arena as part of our broader ambition to open up to new fans to celebrate moments that matter and connect fans virtually and in real life.”
“Dota 2,” or “The Defense of the Ancients 2,” is a multiplayer online game in which players compete in matches of two teams of five players. Each team defends its base on the map. Teams win by destroying the other team’s “Ancient,” a structure within their base.
In early October, Ballantine’s became the Official Sponsor of Tundra, an Esports Team, just in time for the Dota 2 International 2023.
This partnership marked the first Esports partnership for the scotch whisky brand.
Other spirits brands have chosen to enter the gaming and Esports space. Heineken tapped Riot Games in March 2023 and G2 Esports joined forces with Jägermeister in May 2023 according to Esports Insider.
Follow The Daily Pour:
