Here is a trio worth toasting to! The Glenturret, Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery, has collaborated with Lalique and renowned American artist James Turrell for a limited-edition whiskey decanter. Dubbed Eight Decades and offering only eighty pieces worldwide, the decanter commemorates artist James Turrell’s eightieth year. It also honors The Glenturret’s unmatched finesse while paying an ode to Lalique’s master craftsmanship.
At 80, the American artist known for his work within the Light and Space movement is debuting his first-ever whisky decanter (though he has launched two perfume bottles and beautiful light panels for Lalique).
The decanter bottled Turell’s spectacular design prowess that only Lalique’s dexterous artisans could bring to life. The result is impressive as the bottle’s neck comes injected with violet crystal, magnifying the amber-colored whisky inside. The pyramidal shape of the stopper is inspired by Egypt. Silvio Denz, CEO and Chairman, Lalique commented, “The collaboration with Lalique and James Turrell makes perfect sense when you recall that René Lalique was known as the ‘sculptor of light.’ This collaboration brings together James Turrell’s universe, the house of Lalique, and The Glenturret in an emotional journey and one of which I am extremely proud. An enduring approach to savoir faire and taste aligns with James Turrell’s understated, futuristic aesthetic. Eight Decades is the incarnation of excellence at every level – the perfect balance and a beautiful work of art – a celebration of individuals who contribute to the process over generations – a trophy in their honour.”
Keeping up with the edition’s name, the whiskey is drawn from eight casks, ranging from 1987 to 1998, depicting his personality and vocation over the eight decades of James Turrell’s life. The beautiful decanter holds the aromas of dark-dried fruit, chocolate orange, ginger cake, red berries, fresh apples, and softer oak. The supreme concoction of gentle wood spices and rich fruit cake comes with treacle and honeycomb balanced with burnished oak, providing an agreeable finish.
James Turrell stated, “I love a single malt whisky. I described the whisky my father enjoyed as inspiration for the team at The Glenturret: my father’s description of civilisation was a fine whisky and a good cigar. There is also the idea to relate the decanter to the work in crystal I have previously completed with Silvio and Lalique – I wanted this piece to have the same sensibility as the perfume bottles. A tribute to Egypt, pyramids, and stupas, these architectural forms are cross-cultural. They move something deep within me.”
The masterpiece was unveiled at the new Lalique Art Gallery in Burlington Arcade, London, on 16th May. Priced at £80,000 ($99,700), it is limited to, you guessed it, just 80 units worldwide.
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