Charles Leclerc And Chivas Regal Hit The Right Note In New Global Partnership

Luxury Scotch whisky, Chivas Regal, has announced leading Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc as its Global Brand Ambassador in a multiyear partnership, highlighting the brand’s growing influence in modern sports culture.

Throughout the collaboration, Chivas Regal and Charles will encourage fans to forge their own paths in redefining success. The partnership will celebrate the achievement of personal goals and creativity along the way, exploring Charles’ passion points off the racetrack, with the first being music.

As a talented and self-taught pianist and composer, Charles has been sharing his love of music with fans over the past few years that has seen him release multiple tracks. The time, precision and passion he puts into mastering the notes on a piano is reflective of the craftsmanship required to blend the notes of an iconic whisky.

To celebrate this blending of success, Charles and Chivas Regal are hosting an exclusive, one-night-only pop-up piano bar which brings together the worlds of music and whisky. Dubbed Leclerc’s, the bar will open on March 11th in Melbourne, ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season opener in the city later that week.

The immersive event will give VIP guests and a limited number of lucky fans the chance to enjoy bespoke Chivas Regal x Charles Leclerc whisky cocktails, while experiencing a unique evening, centred around music, inspired by Leclerc’s passion for the piano. The event will also feature a special guest appearance from Charles himself, marking the first of many moments he and Chivas Regal will celebrate together.

Those heading to Leclerc’s will have the opportunity to experience a new side of the racing legend as they explore the fusion and notes of whisky and music like never before, in an evening that celebrates the artistry of piano and the craft of whisky.

Nick Blacknell, Global Marketing Director, for Chivas Regal, at Chivas Brothers says: “It’s no secret Charles has had incredible success in his life, but it is his tenacious spirit, commitment to excellence and off-track passions that inspired this partnership. The 88 notes of the piano draw perfect parallels with the 85 flavour notes of our iconic Chivas 18 Year Old expression, showing how both music and whisky blend passion with precision. We’re excited to bring fans on the journey to celebrate our wins together – the ethos that lies at the heart of Chivas Regal.”

Charles Leclerc, Global Brand Ambassador at Chivas Regal, adds: “Success is about blending all the right notes – on and off the track. My craft demands time, precision, and dedication, but what truly drives me is the journey, my passions, and the moments shared along the way. Chivas Regal embodies this same ethos, encouraging people to find their own rhythm and celebrate every win, big or small. I’m excited to redefine success together and share this experience with fans through our partnership.”

To be in with a chance of winning a coveted spot at Leclerc’s in Melbourne and meet Charles, fans can head to TimeOut Melbourne to enter and find out more. Closing date for entry is Saturday 8th March.

This marks the start of a collaborative partnership between Charles Leclerc and Chivas Regal, with further moments of celebration to come. Fans can keep up to date with the new partnership by following @ChivasRegal on Instagram or visiting Chivas.com.

Please enjoy Chivas Regal responsibly and never drink and drive.

About Chivas

Chivas Regal is the original luxury blended Scotch whisky. Launched in 1909, Chivas has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide – with a retail sales value today of over €2.07bn.

Chivas believes in celebrating the next generation of whisky drinkers who elevate themselves and those around them to forge new paths to success – which is why Chivas’ ethos is ‘I Rise, We Rise’, a nod to the importance of hard work, community and ripping up the rule book. These values were instilled by founding brothers James and John Chivas who pioneered the art of whisky blending in 19th century Scotland and became pillars of the community due to their tireless work ethic, hustle, and drive. Chivas continues this vision of collective success through its long-standing association with global sports culture, having enjoyed partnerships with Premier League football clubs for many years, and now in its latest move as ‘Official Team Partner’ of the Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 team in a new global partnership.

Chivas blends its spiritual home in Speyside, Scotland, with more than 100 countries across the globe, who together have made Chivas the global success it is today. The Chivas range blends timeless classics with modern innovation and includes: Chivas 12, Chivas Extra, Chivas XV, Chivas Mizunara, Chivas 18, Chivas Ultis XX, Chivas 25, and Chivas Regal The Icon Chivas.

I Rise, We Rise.

www.Chivas.com

About Leclerc’s

To celebrate Charles Leclerc as Chivas Regal’s Global Brand Ambassador, the racing legend and the luxury Scotch whisky are hosting an exclusive, one-night-only piano bar pop-up in Melbourne on March 11th, ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The event brings together the two worlds of whisky and music, signalling the start of a collaborative partnership and marking the first of many moments he and Chivas Regal will celebrate together.

Chivas Regal x Charles Le Clerc Signature Serve – ‘The Leclerc Spritz’

Charles Leclerc’s signature serve. A twist on an Italian classic fit for the French Riviera.

• 30ml Chivas Regal 18 Year Old
• 30ml Elderflower Cordial
• 20ml Lime Juice
• 60ml Champagne
• Glass: Stemmed Glass
• Garnish: Mint Sprig

Discover the World of Single Malt Whisky at the Port of Leith Distillery

Located in Edinburgh’s historic Leith district, the Port of Leith Distillery provides a distinctive learning environment. With its vertical design and waterfront setting, it offers a modern perspective on whisky production (along with some spectacular views). We are thrilled to be hosting our flagship in-person Diploma in Single Malt Whisky at the venue on three occasions in 2025: 10 & 11 March, 12 & 13 May and 15 & 16 September.

Leo Miles, a tour guide at the Port of Leith Distillery, attended the Diploma in March 2024. Reflecting on his experience, he said: “Before joining the distillery, I knew very little about whisky. The Diploma provided thorough material, giving me a strong foundation and a better understanding of the industry’s past and future. Vic’s guidance was outstanding and the course helped me improve my tours by ensuring I can answer as many customer questions as possible. It also deepened my interest in whisky and the incredible world behind it.”

📖 Read the Post

White Heather 15 Year Old

Fifty years ago, GlenAllachie Master distiller, Billy Walker, began his whisky journey as a blender. he joined a team creating Iconic Blended Scotch Whiskies to be enjoyed across the globe.

In 2021, Billy honoured his roots in the industry with the relaunch of White Heather blended scotch whisky, and is now proudly showcasing his latest creation; a limited release fifteen year old.

Capitalising on his half century of experience, he has sourced the finest single Malt and grain whiskies from across the Highlands, Islay and Speyside to craft a recipe with a particularly high single malt content.

Using a combination of premium American and Spanish oak casks, the blend was laid to rest for an additional 3 years for the flavours to marry and the wood to impart additional depth and complexity.

White heather 15 year old delivers exceptional balance between honeyed sweetness and subtle peat smoke. Undertaking a complex dual maturation system in American and Spanish oak, experienced master blender billy walker frequently monitored the spirit development to ensure optimal flavour experience was achieved.

£54.90

Tasting notes:

Colour: Golden bronze
Nose: Waves of heather honey and butterscotch, followed by orange peel, pineapple, mint and a hint of peat.
Taste: Layers of treacle, heather honey and butterscotch, followed by orange peel, grapefruit and almonds, with mocha, ginger and a light whisp of peaty smoke on the finish.

LONGROW 100° PROOF

A brand new addition to the range, whilst also inspiring a bit of nostalgia, Longrow 100 Proof recognises the appreciation of this style of whisky from our distillery. The characteristic Longrow peat smoke is married with the subtle influence of red wine casks and bottled at proof strength, providing a fitting contrast to our flagship Longrow Peated. This whisky has been matured for almost 4 years in refill bourbon casks and over 2 years in refill pinot noir casks.

NOSE

The peat smoke influence presents in medicinal, TCP notes, along with notes of redcurrants.

PALATE

Softer, the peat smoke has a more earthy, musty element now, with notes of creme brulee, vanilla and almonds.

FINISH

Red cola cubes, strawberry laces and marzipan are at the forefront of the smoky Longrow finish.

UK RRP £60 – £64

Although the origins of 100° proof are often contested, it is widely agreed to have hailed from Britain in the 17th century when excise taxes were based on alcohol strength, thus “proof” of strength became a requirement.

The process for testing and proving strength involved pouring the spirit on to gunpowder and subsequently taking a flame to the gunpowder, with an explosion indicating that the spirit was “over proof”, failure to ignite indicating that it was “under proof”, and a steady flame burning indicating the spirit was “100 proof”.

The 19th century saw the development of a new, scientific calculation of strength devised by Bartholomew Sikes, who measured specific gravity of spirit and defined 100 proof strength as 4/7 alcohol purity, or 57.1% ABV.

Since the USA proof system works differently, proof is considered double the ABV, or 50%. This whisky is therefore known as 114 proof in the US market.

THE HEART CUT

Indie bottlers provide a great way to taste delicious whiskies from distilleries you might not be familiar with, as well as idiosyncratic expressions from those you already know and love. And while you’ll find indie bottlers with heritage spanning more than a century, there are also some exciting new brands in the mix, too.

Founded in 2023 by Georgie Bell and Fabrizio Leoni, The Heart Cut is a new-school bottler that curates outstanding single cask whiskies from exciting distilleries around the world.

SHOP NOW

Currently in the collection are 12 bottlings from distilleries ranging from St George in California, Stauning in Denmark, England’s East London Liquor Company and more. With a flavour-forward approach and distinctive 50cl bottles wrapped in eye-catching labels, it’s clear that this is a bottler looking to do things a little differently.

THE REVIEW

Glenalllachie 17yo Oloroso & Mizunara

Quite the spot of decadence this week. A Glenallachie matured in ex-Oloroso and ex-Mizunara barrels. Bottled at 50% ABV with all of the other good natural stuff that comes with it.

Billy Walker dominates the world of sherry in a way that no other person or brand can really even touch. Macallan get close, don’t get me wrong. But when it comes to a positive element of cult of personality. Billy Walker is your go to man!

Billy never distilled this liquid so I’m unsure of it was in ex-bourbon prior to this and re-recked into sherry and Japanese oak, but that’s bye the bye when it comes to flavour. The dominance of the sherry on this liquid is so big bit also so subtle at the same time. You get all of these cocoa nib, orange oil, gentle tobacco notes from all of these huge sherry casks. However, the Mizunara element of this whisky takes a while to come through on the nose. You feel it significantly more on the taste.

Mizunara for me is always dominant with white and black pepper notes. It still has some natural sweetness to it with candied apple, but given the power of these sherry barrels the Mizunara is playing second fiddle to when it comes to aroma. The pepper notes contrast the massive sweetness of the liquid, also providing some wonderfully contrasting dryness that rounds off the taste.

All in all this is a very impressive whisky with loads of appeal. The only real downside is the price that comes along with it. Around that £250+ mark for a seventeen year old liquid is quite a push. A few years ago you would never see a limited edition Glenallachie sat n shelves, how ties are changing.

If you see this in a bar or if you’re in a whisky club with a few friends, this would make an incredible bottle to focus on. I also think the Mizunara could become more dominant the longer it’s open, but that will have to be tested another time.

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Talnua Distillery Announces Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Exclusive Olde Saint’s Keep 2025 Release

Arvada, CO – February 2025 – Talnua Distillery, America’s pioneer of Single Pot Still whiskey, is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, taking place at the distillery on March 14 and 15 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This 21+ event promises an unforgettable experience filled with music, camaraderie, and the annual release of the exclusive Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey.

Whiskey enthusiasts and St. Patrick’s Day revelers alike are invited to join Talnua Distillery for two days of festivities featuring live music, pipe and drum bands, traditional Irish music sessions, and incredible food trucks. Guests can also enjoy the Trinity Mobile Cigar Lounge, offering a premium pairing experience for those looking to enhance their whiskey enjoyment.

Event Schedule: A full schedule of entertainment and activities can be found HERE

Introducing the 2025 Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey

A cornerstone of Talnua’s annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition, the 2025 Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey is an exclusive offering available only at the distillery beginning March 14. Crafted with a meticulous approach to tradition and innovation, this American Single Pot Still whiskey is triple distilled from a mash of 50% unmalted barley and 50% malted barley.

Aging in select barrels has imbued this whiskey with remarkable depth and complexity.

This year’s release was aged for 2 1/2 years in Ex-Bourbon barrels with both French Oak and American Oak staves. From there, the whiskey was transferred into barrels that first held Pedro Ximenez Sherry for 17 years followed by PX Solera Brandy from 1948 for 13 years.

The whiskey rested in those barrels for 2 years and 3 months, giving it a final age statement of 4 years and 9 months.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Apple Orchard, Buttery Maple, Baking Spices
Palate: Honey Graham Cracker, Dried Stone Fruit, Macadamia Nut Cookie
Finish: Cinnamon, Shortbread, Long Finish

At 100 proof (50% ABV), this whiskey delivers a bold yet refined profile, with limited availability of fewer than 1,000 bottles, making it a must-have for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this incredible celebration and to secure a bottle of the 2025 Olde Saint’s Keep Special Release Whiskey. Join us at Talnua Distillery on March 14 and 15 for a St. Patrick’s Day experience like no other!

Exciting Releases from Top Distilleries
K&L Exclusive “Faultline” Collectibles
“This is another one of those that we’re simply honored and lucky to have been able to snag under the Faultline label.”— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

We’re thrilled to present these K&L exclusive Faultline bottlings, which deliver exceptional quality far beyond their price point. Sourced from some of Scotland’s most renowned and exciting distilleries, Faultline strives to create single malts that are both effortlessly beautiful and full of character. Complex, dynamic, and unavailable anywhere else, these unique bottles are the perfect addition to any collection.

This Faultline series also offers a rare opportunity to experience the work of Brazilian contemporary artist Céu Isatto. Each special bottling features a segment of her painting, shown below. Whether you choose to collect the full set or select your favorites, each bottle represents not only a brilliant Scotch expression but also a true story waiting to be discovered.

1998 The Huntley (Balvenie) 25 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Hogshead Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($250.00)

The special distillery in the town of Dufftown is unquestionably one of the top distillers in Scotland. Owners William Grant detest the thought of another company bottling their most special malts, but they nonetheless trade in it on occasion. When they do sell it, they add a molecular amount of a neighboring distillery (either Kininvie or Glenfiddich) and sell it off as Burnside. But now, they don’t seem to like to see that name on bottles either. So, we’ve adopted a totally unrelated name so as not to piss anyone off. Still, I’m happy to tell you this was distilled in Dufftown on December 9th 1998 and filled into a sherry hogshead for 25 years. Bottled exclusively for K&L at a natural cask strength of 51.2%

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2025

This is another one of those that we’re simply honored and lucky to have been able to snag under the Faultline label. Yes, it’s very expensive – but old Islay of this quality is rarely trading for less than double the price of this wonderful single cask. Sure, it’s listed as a blended malt, but there’s no question about the source and if you’re in it for the function over the form, you’ll be extremely happy with this stupendous cask of Ardbeg. If the distillery had held onto these barrels, there’s no question they’d be in some gorgeous special edition worth thousands. No need for further convincing. Let’s taste.

The color is picturesque old gold (0.6). Still extremely powerful after more than 2.5 decades offering pungent dark coal smoke doused in salt water. Pulverized oyster shell, lemon oil, lanolin, old rubber boots, salted fish, candy cane, roasted tarragon, Vin Jaune, and metal shop. On the palate, powerful green and black peat smoke, tense yet full-bodied, cigar ash, camphor, lemon drops, menthol, and tarry asphalt. With water, we add much more oyster brine and lemon oil on the nose, but the palate still exhibits powerful peat smoke, albeit slightly tamed. Now we have some limestone, Myer lemons, candied ginger drops, and creosote. Absolutely top-notch old heavy peat Ardbeg. Not one of these tame ones. A real refreshing contrast to the modern style peat. It ain’t cheap, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a similar experience anywhere else these days.

1997 Islay Mystery (Ardbeg) 26 Year Old “Faultline” K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($300.00)

This wild barrel of teaspooned Islay malt was filled into a single hogshead on November 24th of 1997. The distiller in questions, Ardbeg, does not like to have its name adorn products it did not bottle and during this period which represented a significant transition for the distillery, many deals were made to acquire the product, but obscure its origins. Indeed, this is no single malt. It would have been teaspooned (administratively or literally) with another Islay malt distilled on or before November 1997. But the source of whisky is unquestionably that special distillery on the southern shore of Islay. One taste and you’ll be sure. Bottled exclusively for K&L at a natural cask strength of 54% without color or chillfiltration. One of 264 bottles. Cask: 9876917

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2025

This is another one of those that we’re simply honored and lucky to have been able to snag under the Faultline label. Yes, it’s very expensive, but old Islay of this quality is rarely trading for less than double the price of this wonderful single cask. Sure, it’s listed as a blended malt, but there’s no question about the source. If you’re in it for the function over the form, you’ll be extremely happy with this stupendous cask of Ardbeg. If the distillery had held onto these barrels, there’s no question they’d be in some gorgeous special edition worth thousands. No need for further convincing. Let’s taste. The color is picturesque old gold (0.6). Still extremely powerful after more than 2.5 decades, offering pungent dark coal smoke doused in salt water. Pulverized oyster shell, lemon oil, lanolin, old rubber boots, salted fish, candy cane, roasted tarragon, Vin Jaune, and metal shop. On the palate: powerful green and black peat smoke, tense yet full-bodied, cigar ash, camphor, lemon drops, menthol, tarry asphalt.

With water, we add much more oyster brine and lemon oil on the nose, but the palate still exhibits powerful peat smoke, albeit slightly tamed. Now we have some limestone, Meyer lemons, candied ginger drops, and creosote. Absolutely top-notch old heavy peat Ardbeg. Not one of these tame ones. A real refreshing contrast to the modern style peat. It ain’t cheap, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a similar experience anywhere else these days.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

OLD ORKNEY 1999 – 25 YEAR OLD

A beautiful and richly sherried 25 year old Orkney single malt bottled as our fourth Old Orkney release. Matured initially in plain oak hogsheads, this spent its final six years maturing in a very, very old 1st fill, ex-bodega, oloroso sherry butt.

This has made it a beautifully well-sherried mature Orkney single malt, but means there’s also still plenty of distillery character well intact.

The fourth bottling in our occasional but cherished Old Orkney series is a 1999, 25 year old Orkney malt that has spent the majority of its life in plain refill wood, then the final six years of its maturation in a very, very old 1st fill, ex-bodega, oloroso sherry butt.

The result, bottled at natural cask strength, is a richly sherried example of very mature Orkney single malt, that leaves all the wonderful distillery character intact, but decorates it in great detail with some beautifully intricate and old school sherry characteristics.

This one is deeply earthy, gamey and rich, with gentle peat smoke, waxes, hessian and nicely savoury, salty notes. A beautiful dram and a wonderfully old school example of sherried Orcadian single malt.

£350.00 inc VAT

A word from Angus…

Life is tough enough as it is without suffering bad, mundane and boring things to drink. We believe wholeheartedly in ensnaring the most delicious spirits and wines the world has to offer, and presenting them to you in a way that celebrates all that is fun, silly, beautiful, humourous, satirical and surreal. A little bit of ‘decadence’ every now and then is part of what helps make life joyful and worth living. We are Decadent Drinks and we are about quality, about beauty, about pleasure and about fun!

LOCAL BARLEY 8yo

NOSE

Notes of cracked black pepper, cigar box and sage on the nose introduce this year’s Local Barley.

PALATE

There are notes of shortbread and salted caramel on the palate, along with a herbal, basil note.

FINISH

A long, sweet finish with notes of toffee standing out.

UK RRP £90 – £95