Artist Nichol Wheatley has teamed up with Keeper of the Quaich George Thomson for the Spirit of Art, which will launch three cask bottlings with artwork created exclusively for each cask. A limited edition print of the artwork will be sold with each bottle and features on both the label and the carton.
Alongside Nichol Wheatley’s work will be an oil painting of the shoreline at Caol Ila by Brian McFie that was commissioned to accompany the Caol Ila bottling.
The initial launches include: 223 bottles of 13-year old cask strength (55.4% ABV) single malt whisky from Caol Ila distillery on Islay, which will retail at £210 ($263 USD) each; 228 bottles of 10-year old cask strength (59.2% ABV) Speyside single malt whisky, Linkwood, retailing at £180 ($225 USD) each; and 319 bottles of 10-year old cask strength (55.5% ABV) Speyside single malt whisky, Benrinnes, retailing at £175 ($219 USD) each.
George Thomson explained: “It is neither the artist nor the whisky that is the star of our show – it is the combination of the genius in cask and on canvas that creates the magic behind the Spirit of Art. This unique collaboration provides a great opportunity for whisky lovers to add to their collection or provides a unique gifting opportunity.”
Nichol Wheatley added: “Working with the art community to create and commission works of art for a drink I love was too good an opportunity to pass up. The making of whisky is a true art in itself and the distilleries and their geographies provide the perfect inspiration to make great art.”
Joining Nichol and George in the project are Ewen Cameron, who has worked in the drinks industry for over 40 years with the likes of S&N and Forth Wines, and Euan Thomson, who has been in sales roles within a number of drinks organizations.