Glenfiddich draws on Chinese artistic inspiration for limited-edition 18 year old

Glenfiddich has unveiled a limited-edition 18 year old single malt featuring the work of acclaimed Shenzhen-based artist Rlon Wang*.

The carton design, created in celebration of the Lunar New Year and gifting season, is now available in selected airports including Singapore Changi, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Hong Kong and Taoyuan while supplies last.

Rlon Wang’s work is renowned for its rich colours and highly visual impact

The design pays homage to the royal stag icon which appears on every bottle of Glenfiddich. Wang’s richly detailed illustration depicts the creature’s 12-pointed antlers, denoting its ‘royal’ classification. The flowing ribbon and medal around its neck symbolises Glenfiddich’s status as the world’s most-awarded single malt.

“We know that luxury spirits consumers are looking for culturally relevant gifts from brands with heritage and authentic stories, which makes Glenfiddich 18 year old the perfect gift this Lunar New Year” – William Grant & Sons Managing Director Global Travel Retail Ed Cottrell

The stag’s appearance recalls a renowned oil painting, The Monarch of the Glen, which pays tribute to the epic voyage made by Charles Gordon, son-in-law of Glenfiddich founder William Grant, in 1909.

As legend has it, Gordon left Speyside with a few cases of whisky and a dream to bring Glenfiddich, ‘the Valley of the Deer’, to the world. He returned a year later, having introduced the whisky to several Asian markets.

On the pack, the river surrounding the royal stag can be traced back to the Glenfiddich distillery, identified by its granite buildings and copper still. Closer examination reveals a figure rowing a cargo of whisky casks downstream. The wild Scottish landscape blends with hallmarks of ancient and modern Asia in an evocation of the long-standing connection between diverse cultures.

William Grant & Sons Managing Director Global Travel Retail Ed Cottrell commented: “We are thrilled to collaborate with artist Rlon Wang to offer travellers a limited-edition design during this important festive period.

“We know that luxury spirits consumers are looking for culturally relevant gifts from brands with heritage and authentic stories, which makes Glenfiddich 18 year old the perfect gift this Lunar New Year.”

*About the design and the designer

Rlon Wang’s colourful, multi-layered illustration takes inspiration from personal memories of family gatherings at Lunar New Year. Wang also draws on the symbolic meaning of deer in Chinese folk tales, where the animal often represents long life and good fortune.

Wang (王荣亮) was born in Tianshui, Gansu in 1985. He graduated from the Department of Fine Arts at Tianshui Normal University, having majored in Chinese painting.

He describes his style of work as having a very visual impact, drawing on rich colours. Wang’s website notes, “Most of his works add with the East’s traditional visual elements and the Western shape performance, while retaining the ornamental value and modern visual expression of the unique style of his works. His works are full of tensile strength, and the style is unique.”

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