Chivas Regal has collaborated with Andrew Simpson of industrial design house Vert Design to create a bespoke whisky tumbler that celebrates the 85 unique flavour notes found in Chivas 18, a rich and multi-layered blend created by master blender Colin Scott.
Working with an Australia glass blower, Simpson drew inspiration from the 1000-year-old Venetian glassware tradition, which emphasises the importance of hand-forming and the inclusion of colour.
“The Venetian design is incredibly craft-based which allowed us to use certain techniques and textures that highlight the luxury and quality of Chivas 18. It’s a generous and beautiful way to shape and add colour to the glass”, says Simpson.
“Glassware is a study of light, geometry, and the stability of material. Through this, we can create something that is not only beautiful but functional.”
The result is a design that pays homage to both tradition and purpose, a contemporary interpretation of the traditional whisky drinking ritual where a watch glass cover is used to keep the whisky vapours inside.
Simpson’s tumbler features a clear, pineapple-textured base, reminiscent of British crystal, allowing the drinker to see the rich colour of the whisky. The bowl and lip are cobalt blue, in-line with Chivas 18 branding.
“The moment of taste was our focus. Putting the glass to the lips is an intimate process. You can tell a lot about the quality of glass by how it feels against your lip,” says Simpson.
“I’ve spent years perfecting my craft, which is why I have so much respect for a Chivas master blender, working with decade-old blends. This glass is my personal homage to them, a perfect union of the two crafts that honours process, skill and creativity.”
The tumblers will be available to experience first-hand with Chivas 18 in leading Australian bars this summer including in Sydney’s Grain Bar, Melbourne’s The Bank on Collins, and Brisbane’s Blackbird Bar and Restaurant from 15 November.