THE GLENLIVET x SHARP
There is a certain art to slowing down. In Provence, it comes naturally: in long lunches that stretch into the afternoon, sun-drenched landscapes, bustling open-air markets and the pleasure of taking time over something worth savouring. It was this spirit of escape that inspired The Glenlivet’s latest expression, The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Provence Edition, a limited-edition single malt that brings together the heritage of Scottish whisky-making with the French art de vivre. Ahead of its global launch, we travelled to the South of France to experience the landscapes, flavours and culture that helped shape the whisky.
Our journey began at Château Sainte Marguerite, a renowned Provence estate and one of just 18 properties to hold the prestigious Cru Classé des Côtes-de-Provence designation, awarded for exceptional quality. The estate plays a particularly important role in the new expression, with its French white wine casks selected to finish a portion of The Glenlivet’s whisky. Hosted by The Glenlivet Cask Master Kevin Balmforth and Château Sainte Marguerite CEO Olivier Fayard, the visit offered a closer look at the estate and the craftsmanship behind the casks, followed by a tasting that connected the character of the wine directly to the whisky.
For Balmforth, translating Provence into a single malt required looking beyond conventional whisky-making. “We wanted to create something that was inspired by Provence,” he explains, pointing to its flavours, culture and distinctive way of life. The answer was to introduce French wine casks into the process, creating new dimensions of flavour while preserving The Glenlivet’s signature character. The Provence Edition marks the first time the distillery has used French white wine casks in one of its expressions. A portion of the whisky is finished in three distinct types of French wine casks: white wine casks, Rivesaltes, and Sauternes casks. Each contributes something different, building layers of floral complexity, citrus and ripe fruit.
The Château Sainte Marguerite casks were particularly significant. According to Balmforth, the team was immediately impressed by their freshness and quality, with citrus and vibrant fruit characteristics apparent before the whisky even entered the casks. Over the following months, the whisky was sampled as the flavours gradually developed, a process Balmforth describes as a “slow evolution,” allowing complexity to build rather than overwhelm the underlying spirit. The result is a distinctly Provençal interpretation of The Glenlivet’s elegant and mellow style. Bright citrus and fruit lead into white peach, floral notes, vanilla and honey, creating a whisky that feels both fresh and rounded. The influence of the sweet wine casks adds richness, while the French white wine casks bring a lighter, more lifted quality.
Experiencing the whisky in its place of inspiration adds another dimension to the story. From the Mediterranean vegetation surrounding Hotel Le Mirage in Bormes-les-Mimosas to the region’s celebrated cuisine, Provence offered a sensory reference point for the expression. At the hotel, the landscape was framed by mimosas, palms and agaves, while local specialities, including the indulgent tarte tropézienne, a brioche filled with pastry cream and buttercream, brought the region’s love of simple yet luxurious pleasures to the table. The itinerary continued with an exploration of Riviera culture at the Fondation Carmignac, connecting the region’s artistic spirit with the broader idea of French art de vivre that sits at the heart of the release.
The Provence Edition also builds on a whisky-making tradition that dates back approximately 200 years. The Glenlivet’s very name is rooted in its surroundings. Translated from Gaelic, Glenlivet means “the valley of the smooth-flowing one,” referring to the Livet River that runs through Speyside, home of the distillery. From malting and mashing through fermentation, distillation and maturation, the process is grounded in tradition. The Provence Edition takes those established foundations somewhere new. As Balmforth puts it, capturing Provence meant reflecting its “relaxed yet vibrant” way of life, a quality that became increasingly apparent as the team experienced the region firsthand.
The whisky has already proven itself, earning a gold medal at the Scotch Whisky Masters 2026, but the experience behind the bottle is equally integral to its identity. This is a release rooted in the idea of escape, a reminder that luxury can be found in taking your time, embracing your surroundings and allowing something to unfold slowly.
The Provence Edition also lends itself to a fresh interpretation of a whisky classic. The Golden Hour Old Fashioned swaps the traditional syrup and bitters combination for wildflower honey and plum bitters, echoing the expression’s floral and orchard-fruit character.
The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Provence Edition is, at its core, brings two worlds together. Scottish whisky tradition provides the foundation, while Provence supplies the colour, flavour and sense of escape. The result is a single malt designed not only to be tasted, but to be experienced.
FEATURE PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GLENLIVET.
