For Chapter One in the new GTR-exclusive Groundbreaker Collection, The Glenlivet teamed up with artist Red Hong Yi
The Glenlivet has unveiled its Groundbreaker Collection with Chapter One: The Journey Inward, the brand’s first whisky to be finished in red wine casks. The first Scotch in the new global travel retail (GTR) series finds the Chivas Brothers-owned brand teaming up with Malaysian-Chinese contemporary artist Red Hong Yi.
For The Glenlivet Groundbreaker Collection Chapter One, Malaysian-Chinese contemporary artist Red Hong Yi was influenced by her “extraordinary travels and meaningful places around the world,” including trips to Borneo and Scotland. Hong Yi is known for her unconventional methods, including using fire to char parchment – a technique she used to create the artwork housing Chapter One of The Glenlivet Groundbreaker Collection.
The single malt Scotch whisky was initially matured in European and American oak casks, before a portion of the single malt was finished in charred American oak and European red wine casks. The brand recommends pairing the whisky with soft, creamy cheeses and charcuterie.
On the nose, the whisky offers aromas of fresh blueberries, juicy red apple, caramelized pears, glazed cherries, vanilla custard, orange peel, sweet oak char, and crystallized ginger. The palate finds juicy plums, ripe banana, raspberry jam, charred pineapple, creamy butterscotch, warm gingerbread, caramel wafer, and nutmeg spice. The warming finish is spicy and slightly dry.
“As part of a passionate team of makers at The Glenlivet, collaborating with other creatives pushing boundaries in their respective fields is always exhilarating,” says Glenlivet cask master Kevin Balmforth. “This original new collection continues our commitment to – and 200-year legacy of – drawing on unusual and sometimes unexpected sources to continuously innovate within single malts.”
Each chapter of The Glenlivet Groundbreaker Collection will celebrate original artists who, through travel, have set new standards in their artistic craft. Chapter One is now exclusively at Singapore Changi Airport and will be available in selected duty free stores worldwide beginning at the end of October.
“We are thrilled to launch The Glenlivet Groundbreaker, the first ever collaboration series exclusively for global travel retail,” says Liya Zhang, VP Global Marketing at Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail. “This exciting series brings new innovation and excitement to the ultra-premium single malt whisky category, subtly trading shoppers up into the world of prestige whiskies.
“By partnering with Changi Airport and Lotte for our only pop-up store globally, we are leveraging GTR as the leading channel to build brand desirability, prestige stature and value perception while introducing new generations of consumers to the pleasures of Speyside single malts, using new and innovative taste profiles.”
The Glenlivet Groundbreaker Collection Chapter One: The Journey Inward is priced at $100 per bottle. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
Earlier this month, The Glenlivet revealed a limited-edition 55-year-old single malt, their oldest whisky to date.
