A neat symmetry lies at the heart of this partnership, now in its second year, and it’s a more natural pairing than you might think. A Formula One aerodynamicist working for Aston Martin shapes airflow around a car that doesn’t exist yet, and a Glenfiddich malt master lays down a traditional spirit that won’t be ready to drink for the better part of two decades. Both are experts in their field. Yet both work against results that are never immediately visible, and both craftsmen have to trust that the precision they apply now pays off in a future they can’t yet see.
This shared faith in the invisible is the idea behind these two limited-edition releases, and the pairing draws its inspiration from two recognizable individuals. The two men are Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman and Aston Martin Formula One Team’s Managing Technical Partner, the legendary designer and aerodynamic alchemist Adrian Newey.
“What I find most compelling about Adrian’s work is that the defining performance often comes from what you cannot immediately see,” Kinsman notes. “That is something I recognize in whisky-making.” It’s a clean articulation; as partners, a Scotch distillery and a racing team make more sense than one might assume.
The 16-Year-Old Release No. 2 is the one most Canadians will get their hands on. It’s matured across five cask types, first-fill bourbon barrels, Port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, wine casks and a final touch of Fino sherry butts, and layered so each contributes without overwhelming the whole. The result is Glenfiddich’s signature orchard-fruit character given real depth: silky, structured, with a long oaky sweetness on the finish. At 43% ABV, it’s refined rather than showy.
The 19-Year-Old Release No. 2 is the harder ticket, a Global Travel Retail exclusive built around an unusual marriage of Colombian, European and American oak. The Colombian oak is the intriguing part. As Glenfiddich’s Canadian ambassador Jamie Johnson puts it, it brings “brightness and lift” to a rich profile of sherbet, baked apple, and soft cinnamon, both zesty and waxy in the mouth. It’s the more adventurous of the two, and the one worth seeking out in an airport lounge.
The 16-Year-Old reaches select Canadian provinces this autumn, while the 19-Year-Old can be found in travel retail as you pass through your nearest airport, perhaps looking for a rewarding welcome when you reach your destination, or a gift for your hosts. Both whiskies from Glenfiddich reward the attention their makers built in, underscored by the the intrigue of an unusual partnership. Enjoy responsibly, and obviously, never behind the wheel of anything, Aston or otherwise.
