Four very different British designers have been challenged by Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky to create art by using the company’s whisky barrels in a unique exhibition.  Inspiration for the art comes from the whisky ageing process and in particular the specific year the barrels were first laid down for maturation. The designers are drawn from across the worlds of fashion, interiors, books and music.  They are all working with different years, including 1977, 1986 and 1989.

Storm Thorgerson – Esteemed album artwork designer who has created iconic imagery for the likes of Pink Floyd, Muse, Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, Biffy Clyro and many more

Nick Hart – founder and designer of Savile Row tailors Spencer Hart, one of the UK’s most esteemed men’s fashion tailor designers with stars such as David Bowie among his clients

David Pearson – award winning designer for Penguin books who has created cover artwork for hundreds of books including popular classics such as Oliver Twist and Moby Dick and books by famous authors such as Georges Simenon

 

Timorous Beasties – award winning Glasgow design duo Alistair McAuley and Paul Simmons have defined an iconoclastic style of design once described as ‘William Morris on acid’

 

“Barrels are hugely important to us at Glenfiddich,” explained Sarah Pace from Glenfiddich. “After all, it is where the magic happens, where the whisky matures and develops its unique flavor and character. Every year counts in that process – a barrel laid down in 1977 will give us a very different work of art compared to a barrel laid down in 1989.  We’re interested in the possibilities of what can be created over time and that was part of the brief to the designers.”

All the designers have met with the firm’s own artisans: the coopers.  Glenfiddich is the only distillery in the Highlands to have a team of on-site coopers to mend and tend every cask that matures the fine single malt Scotch whisky.

The finished works are on tour around Hotel du Vin and Malmaison hotels around the country (full dates can be found on www.glenfiddich.com/barrelart).