Chivas Regal and Pininfarina Announce New Collaboration on Limited Edition Designs for Chivas 18 Year Old

16 Apr 2013 --- Chivas Regal and Pininfarina, two of the world’s leading brands known for quality and craftsmanship, have come together for the first time to create Chivas 18 by Pininfarina. The aerodynamic, limited edition design, “The Drop,” is inspired by air and liquid, uniting both houses in their ongoing quest for beauty, harmony and, ultimately, pleasure.

“The Drop” is available in three editions, including a highly exclusive custom-made sculpture for $100,000, in the U.S. in NY, FL, IL, TX, MD, MC, GA, So. CA, AZ, NV, beginning April 2013.

Both Chivas and Pininfarina share a rich heritage in crafting rewarding and stimulating experiences in luxury. Pininfarina has been a crusader in Italian design and engineering since 1930, while Chivas Regal is the original luxury whisky blend with a distinctive style and heritage stemming from more than two centuries of history. Chivas Regal 18 Year Old is a luxurious blend of whiskies, hand-picked for their exceptional richness, including more than 20 of Scotland’s rarest single malts, aged for a minimum of 18 years.

Breaking with Scotch whisky tradition, there are three expressions of the Chivas 18 by Pininfarina limited edition, including:

Limited Edition 1
The first expression is based on a streamlined drop, giving a sense of movement that is inherent to Pininfarina. It features a rich blue, metallic finish outer case, reminiscent of the metalwork the Italian company is best known for, and a wood veneer, representing the oak barrels so crucial in the aging process of Chivas 18 (1,500 available in the U.S., $140).

Limited Edition 2
The second expression of the partnership features the same design cues, but takes them even further, by featuring a solid wood inlay, and is even more aerodynamic. Proudly presenting the limited edition bottle, it also includes two glasses designed exclusively by Pininfarina to echo the drop design. Each unit is individually numbered (120 available in the U.S., $495).

Chivas 18 Mascherone by Pininfarina
Inspired by the mascherone (the original wooden frame that was used to refine new automobile shapes) the Chivas 18 Mascherone by Pininfarina marks the pinnacle of the partnership. Hand assembled in Cambiano, Italy by Pininfarina, it features an oak internal structure, clad in aluminum. A light, found at the base, brings this artistic 7-foot-4-inch piece to life. Mirroring the elegant precision of Pininfarina’s celebrated automotive innovations, only five of this collector’s piece will be on display globally. Individual pieces will be made to order upon request ($100,000).

All expressions include a specially designed bottle of Chivas 18 with Pininfarina’s design notes visible on the metalized crest and the Italian company’s logo proudly emblazoned on the capsule and neck wrap.

“Chivas Regal understands design and has a proven track record in working with iconic visionaries in this field including Christian Lacroix, Vivienne Westwood and Dan Funderburgh. Joining forces with Pininfarina felt instinctive,” explains Global Brand Director of Chivas Regal, James Slack.

Chairman of Pininfarina, Paolo Pininfarina said, "Italian style means a sense of proportion, simplicity and harmony of line, and we applied this sensibility to the designs we developed for Chivas 18.”

Design Manager of Pininfarina Extra, Paolo Trevisan added, "Pininfarina design is about aerodynamics, how air affects shape, and Chivas 18, naturally, is symbolized by liquid. I was inspired and fascinated to learn that each drop of Chivas 18 captures 85 flavors—multi sensory complexity, yet delivered with such precision.  The partnership was a perfect marriage of values and mutual respect.”