Grand Château: Where Mr. A Meets Glenfiddich in a Bold Artistic Collaboration

Did someone mention a collaboration between a graffiti artist and fine whisky?

By Leon Haasbroek

When I first saw the buzz on social media about Glenfiddich teaming up with a renowned graffiti artist and spotted Mr. A, I immediately knew André Saraiva had to be involved. Naturally, I tapped into my network to uncover the story behind this exciting partnership.

Known globally for his street art and high-profile collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Chanel, the Swedish-French artist has now embarked on a bold new creative journey with Glenfiddich. The result? Glenfiddich's Grand Château, a limited-edition 31-Year-Old whisky that not only delivers an exceptional spirit but celebrates a fusion of Saraiva’s distinctive street art with the world of fine whisky.

 This collaboration is making waves. Grand Château is Glenfiddich’s first release finished in Bordeaux red wine casks, resulting in a whisky that’s as rich as it is complex. Think layers of caramelized cherry, apple, warming spices, and a hint of toasted oak—an indulgent blend that marries Speyside's fruity vibrancy with Bordeaux's earthy, floral elegance. Limited to just 250 bottles, this collector’s edition is set to be a coveted gem for any whisky lover.

“When Glenfiddich approached me (and *Mr. A*) for this collaboration, it felt like the perfect fit,” Saraiva explains. “I’ve always loved whisky, and this release, with its French connection, gave me endless creative inspiration. The final design is a visual representation of my journey to Scotland, intertwined with Glenfiddich’s rich heritage.”

For both whisky connoisseurs and art enthusiasts, Grand Château is more than just a fine whisky—it’s a statement. It will be available at luxury outlets and premium establishments across South Africa from the end of September, retailing at an impressive R40,000.

Dossier Magazine has been invited to the official South African launch of Grand Château later this year, so keep an eye on our social media for a behind-the-scenes look at this immersive fine dining experience with Glenfiddich and André Saraiva.

With this collaboration, Glenfiddich continues to push boundaries between tradition and innovation. And with André Saraiva’s artistic touch, Grand Château stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and creativity.

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Glenfiddich’s Grand Château marks the first release by the Scottish distillery to use red wine casks from the Bordeaux region, in which the liquid is finished, for an extended period of nine years.

Celebrating a fresh fusion of flavour, the liquid has been matured in American oak for 22 years before being finished for an extended nine years in exceptional Bordeaux red wine casks from the French wine-growing region. The nine-year finish adds layer upon layer of new and unexpected flavour. Indulgent and rich, caramelised cherry and apple intertwines with warming spice and toasted oak; an opulent, yet earthy liquid that's fruity and at the same time floral.

“This limited edition whisky is being released as a part of The Glenfiddich Grand Series, a collection that celebrates the unexpected collision between single malt and different cultures from around the world,” said Lifa Bakana, Senior Brand Manager for William Grant & Sons at Edward Snell & Co. “Grand Château tells the tale of two worlds, drawing inspiration and character from both Scotland and France, to create one exceptional liquid.”

Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich Malt Master commented: “Bordeaux red wine casks are incredibly versatile sources of flavour and recognised widely for their outstanding quality, providing the perfect opportunity for experimentation to develop a profound spirit. Nine years spent cocooned in these extraordinary Bordeaux red wine casks results in an exceptionally vibrant liquid which intensifies Glenfiddich’s classic fruity character balanced somewhat unusually with notes of deep oak and warming vanilla.”

He continued: “Although wine is becoming an increasingly popular choice for maturation within the single malt category, it remains relatively rare to see whiskies finished in a Bordeaux red wine cask, making this an incredibly intriguing and collectable bottling.”

Claudia Falcone, Glenfiddich Global Brand Director commented: “The addition of Grand Château to The Glenfiddich portfolio, experimenting with flavour combinations and an extended finishing period, establishes our position as a brand that continues to push the boundaries of whisky making.  Grand Château allows us to explore the collision of different cultures, whilst taking luxury to new heights.”

The Grand Château’s display boxes pay homage to Glenfiddich’s deep connection to the arts. Along with designing the bold interior packaging, French Street artist André Saraiva has created ‘The Artist’s Edition’ through ‘disrupting’ 300 of the traditional Toile De Jouy display box, using them as a canvas to add his playful interpretation of the spirit and its story. The limited edition display boxes feature Saraiva’s signature ‘Mr.A’ character–a figure that has travelled the world from the streets of Paris to New York, Shenzhen, London and Seoul, and within this design can be seen playfully selecting the extended Bordeaux red wine cask finished whisky at Glenfiddich Distillery in Scotland. ​

Grand Château is the latest addition to the Grand series, which includes Grand Yozakura, a limited edition 29 Year Old whisky, the first Single Malt Scotch Whisky to be finished in rare ex-Awamori casks; Grande Couronne, a 26 Year Old Scotch Whisky matured in American and European oak casks and finished for up to two years in meticulously sourced French Cognac casks; Glenfiddich Grand Cru, aged for 23 years in American and European oak casks and then finessed in French Cuvée oak casks; Gran Cortes, a refined Glenfiddich whisky aged for 22 years in traditional Sherry oak before finishing in very rare Palo Cortado Sherry casks, only available in Asia and Glenfiddich Gran Reserva, patiently mellowed for 21 years in European and American Oak casks before a final flourish in Caribbean Rum casks.

 With just 300 bottles available in South Africa, Glenfiddich’s limited edition Grand Château is available at selected premium whisky purveyors’ starting at R40,000 per bottle from the 1st of October.