The Glenlivet, the single malt that started it all, has revealed its latest collaboration with British collective, The New Craftsmen, to mark the launch of its new expression, The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish. Inspired by 19th Century processes and materials intrinsic to the Nàdurra range, modern designer-craftsman Sebastian Cox has used his signature inventive approach to working with wood to create The Glenlivet Nàdurra Drinks Trolley.
Working with exceptional materials such as oak staves from retired casks and leather oak-tanned by hand, The Glenlivet Nàdurra Drinks Trolley was inspired by the traditional Malt Barrow originally used in the distillery to turn and transport malt to imaginatively capture the spirit of Nàdurra (meaning “natural” in Gaelic). Cox has created a truly spectacular item that will serve as a beautiful, yet functional piece of design that brings the multi-sensory Nàdurra range to life.
The original creation will be on display for a limited period at The New Craftsmen store in London’s Mayfair, after which time it will be relocated to its residence at The Glenlivet Distillery in Scotland. A limited number of Trolleys will be available to purchase ‘made to order’ from The New Craftsmen at a cost of £4,200 each, exclusively for those who have registered as Guardians of The Glenlivet – see www.theglenlivet.com for information and to register as a Guardian.
Standout features of The Glenlivet Nàdurra Drinks Trolley’s include:
- Cox’s distinctive wood ‘weave’ used for the cupboard panels and the Trolley’s large ‘barrow’ wheels made from oak staves from retired casks
- An exquisite hand blown glass vessel to hold ice and water by glass artist Michael Ruh featuring a copper spinner and floating wood shavings
- Three bespoke rests to showcase the three expressions in the Nàdurra range with each one’s unique cask finish brought to life: new The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish rests upon 3,000 year-old Peated Oak, The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso is ‘cupped’ in warm hued Cherry wood, while The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection rests upon golden Medullary flecked American White Oak.
Created as a complementary yet integrated component of the Trolley, The Glenlivet Nàdurra Dram Tray was created by Cox as an item that can be purchased as a standalone piece. The Dram Tray is designed to house two glasses and a bottle for enjoying The Glenlivet Nàdurra at home. Inspired by new The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish, the Dram Tray features Peated Oak. Despite being a standalone piece, The Dram Tray is also an integral part of the Trolley. It fits inside the main body of the Trolley and really brings the theatre of the drinking ritual to life. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Dram Tray will be available to purchase from The New Craftsmen priced at £120, exclusively for those who have registered as Guardians of The Glenlivet.
The Glenlivet Nàdurra is the most natural expression of The Glenlivet, inspired by its founder, George Smith. Bottled in small batches with no chill-filtration, each expression offers the complexity, full body and distinctively creamy texture of a whisky that has just been drawn from the cask. Similarly, Cox’s workshop uses time-honoured methods for managing its woodlands, coppicing and artisan crafts; utilising British hardwoods inventively, with contemporary results. Originality, mastery of process and nature with an uncompromising quality define Sebastian’s craft in the same way that they define The Glenlivet Nàdurra.
Sebastian Cox commented, “The opportunity to work on an item that embodies The Glenlivet Nàdurra range particularly resonated with me following time spent with the craftsmen at the distillery. The importance and influence of wood on the whisky was fascinating to me and I took inspiration from this in creating both the Trolley and the Tray. I am pleased to present two unique handmade items that embrace the complexities and sensual attributes of nature in a truly elegant form and are truly representative of the Nàdurra range and hope they will inspire people to relish the ritual of enjoying a dram. ”
Nikki Burgess, Global Brand Director of The Glenlivet remarked: “This is the second year that we have partnered with The New Craftsmen – last year we commissioned designer-maker Gareth Neal to create The Glenlivet Nàdurra Dram Chair. This year, our aim was to build on this partnership to create two unique collectable items – The Glenlivet Nàdurra Drinks Trolley and Dram Tray – that centre on the serving and drinking ritual yet added a wonderful theatre to it. The partnership has resulted in two special items that are naturally crafted yet surprising and unique – both timeless originals.”
The Glenlivet is expanding the Nàdurra range with the addition of The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish to complement its existing permanent expressions, The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso and The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Whisky Cask Finish will go into distribution worldwide and in Global Travel Retail from October 2015, priced at USD$89.
