Forces of Nature marks the first instalment in Royal Salute’s new pinnacle series The Art of Wonder. This ultra-prestige release comprises the whisky brand’s 53 Year Old blend accompanied by a feather sculpture created by British artist Kate MccGwire.
Royal Salute’s (Pernod Ricard) new collection The Art of Wonder blends the worlds of fine art and rare whisky. Expressions will be created in collaboration with acclaimed artists to produce a bespoke piece of art inspired by whisky-making traditions.
For the inaugural release Forces of Nature, the brand has partnered with British feather artist Kate MccGwire. In a first for Royal Salute, the hand-blown crystal decanter (Dartington Crystal), housing the 53 Year Old whisky blend is transparent.
The brand worked with packaging design agency Nude Brand Design, Dartington Crystal and Kate MccGwire on the decanter design - each is engraved with intricate feathers inspired by MccGwire’s feather sculptures. The engravings are hand gilded in 24 carat gold by artisans from Dartington Crystal. Boasting a heavy, hand-etched base and elongated neck, the curved decanter features a matching gold-finish collar and stopper, engraved with intricate overlapping patterns and the brand’s logo on the top.
A hand-crafted Scottish oak cabinet (John Galvin Design) lined with leather (Muirhead), houses the decanter alongside with an art piece created by Kate MccGwire. Named Paragon, the curved sculpture is made of layers of regal pheasant feathers. The London-based artist worked with brown feathers enriched with amber accents to resonate with the color of the whisky itself. The inspiration for the sculpture came from unpredictable and ever-changing forces of nature and the interaction of water with its surroundings.
The Royal Salute 53 Year Old whisky blend is one of the oldest ever released by the brand, honoring the year 1953, in which Queen Elizabeth II was crowned and Royal Salute was established.
Forces of Nature by Kate MccGwire launched in October. Just 21 decanters are available, priced at $90,000.
DecanterDartington Crystal
CoffretJohn Galvin Design/Muirhead
SculptureKate MccGwire
DesignNude Brand Design, Dartington Crystal and Kate MccGwire
