Glenfiddich was the world's most granted single malt whisky, as of late acquainted the most recent expansion with its robust whisky collection, 'The Grande Couronne' in Nigeria. The Grande Couronne sits inside Glenfiddich's progressive Grande series and is a 26-year-old whisky matured in American and European oak casks, and completed in French Cognac casks. The Grande Couronne is a gesture to Glenfiddich's trial maverick spirit of reliably pushing the limits of whisky advancement. 


The exceptionally anticipated launch occasion which was hung on Sunday, eighteenth July at Cilantro Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos permitted visitors to solely experience the Grande Couronne through the artistic articulation of the Grande Composition. The Grande Composition is a series of artistic collaborations, which sees a cross-cultural reimagination of the brand's Grande Couronne bottle design. Glenfiddich found a portion of the world's most intriguing artists from 19 nations, including Ayoola Gbolahan from Nigeria, and provoked them to take inspiration from the first design and put their maverick eye to it, transforming it into something new, celebratory, new, and surprising. 


             

The occasion was hosted by Chico Aligwekwe, who started off with a concise history of the creation of the Grande Couronne. Visitors were blessed to receive a variety of fine cuisine from Chef Emeka and engaged by soul music band – The Blues Project and a principal dance group DNMT. 

           

The evening of charm and glitz finished in the reveal of the Grande Couronne, and visitors were blessed to receive a tasting of the Grande Couronne initiated by Struan Grant, Glenfiddich's Global Brand Ambassador (Virtually). 




Following this, the art translation from Ayoola Gbolahan was unveiled, which segued into an auction of the art just as restricted edition signed sleeves motivated by the art piece. Continues from the auction will be donated to local Art foundations in Nigeria as part of Glenfiddich's obligation to the advancement of the creative industry both locally and worldwide. 


Talking at the launch occasion, Frances Nwosa, Country Manager Nigeria at William Grant and Sons said;


“As the world’s most awarded Single Malt Whisky, Glenfiddich has a long tradition of innovation and setting the benchmark for quality. The launch of the Grande Couronne in Nigeria is a testament to the quality and pioneering spirit that has gone into the production of Glenfiddich for over 120 years. We are glad to bring the Grande Composition to Nigeria, which is a collision of Glenfiddich and our local culture. With this, we aim to not only keep raising the bar for whisky lovers in this region and beyond but also impact the next generation of artists through the proceeds received from the auction.”


Remarking on the inspiration behind his translation of the Grande Couronne filigree, Ayoola Gbolahan expressed that while submerging himself with the brand, he found that Glenfiddich was a result of cooperation with various people more than quite a long while. 

He said; 

“The bottle and stag were designed by two different people which made me believe that the William Grant family was disciplined and managed to keep the business afloat despite having multiple people (that were not related) to be part of the design process. I was inspired by all the people/ elements that were involved in the product and the artwork represents a fusion of all the minds that were involved in the product.”

Just 50 bottles of the Grande Couronne with sleeves enlivened by the Grande Composition (Nigeria) artwork were delivered – making this a restrictive collection for both whisky and art sweethearts! 


Get all the scoop from the launch through the photos beneath.