Two worlds collided this month when award-winning NFT artist Kristel Bechara and Glenfiddich whisky came together in a partnership that celebrates the exclusive Glenfiddich Gran Reserva whisky.
Bechara, a pioneering NFT artist, collaborated with the whisky brand to create her own visual expression of a rare Glenfiddich liquid for the digital age.
Her brief was to take inspiration from the Glenfiddich Gran Reserva flavor and its production backstory – a 21-year-old Glenfiddich expression finished in rum casks. The partnership resulted in the NFT artwork, “Collisions of two Worlds,” and the region’s first NFT-derived cocktail, the Dufftown River based on Glenfiddich’s Gran Reserva – an exclusive utility for the holders of the NFT. The usage of Glenfiddich 21-year-old is extremely rare in cocktails due to its retail price of over AED1,000 per bottle.
The collaboration was revealed at an event hosted at the Japanese restaurant CLAP, which is located in Dubai’s DIFC district. Guests had the opportunity to experience the Gran Reserva expression from Glenfiddich’s Grand Series range while Bechara unveiled her specially curated piece. The artist also hosted a talk discussing her inspiration for the piece and how NFTs are changing the global art scene. Bechara said: “It was very exciting to work on a piece like this. It was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the world of fine whisky and how Glenfiddich continually innovates in its own creative process. I hope that guests can feel how I brought some of the flavor and essence of the Gran Reserva to my NFT art.”
115 pieces of Kristel’s artwork out of a total 221 were gifted to guests at the event; some collectors started offering their NFT artwork for a sale price on the secondary market at 1.25ETH, which is roughly USD 3,910 . The rest of the collection will be listed on OpenSea for public purchase on a first come basis –announcement will be made soon – stay tuned. Holders of the NFT can access a whole spectrum of exclusive perks and experiences curated by Glenfiddich, the first being the Dufftown River made with the 21-year-old Gran Reserva, available at CLAP.
