Aston Martin Formula One Team and Glenfiddich have unveiled two limited-edition single malt Scotch whiskies — a 16-Year-Old and a 19-Year-Old — born from a collaboration between Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman and Aston Martin F1 Managing Technical Partner Adrian Newey, the team announced through its official channels.
The releases, designated as Release No. 2 under the partnership, draw on what both brands describe as a shared philosophy of invisible craftsmanship — the idea that exceptional performance is defined by precise, unseen details working beneath the surface. Glenfiddich, which the brand identifies as the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, first partnered with Aston Martin F1 through a multi-year deal announced in November 2024.
“What I find most compelling about Adrian’s work is that the defining performance often comes from what you cannot immediately see,” Kinsman said. “That is something I recognise in whisky-making. The character of a single malt is shaped by countless precise decisions over time — cask selection, balance, maturation, timing — each one subtle on its own, but transformative when brought together.”
Kinsman added: “With these releases, I wanted to capture that same sense of unseen craftsmanship and create whiskies that feel layered, balanced and unmistakably built to go beyond expectation.”
The 16-Year-Old expression is built through maturation across five cask types: first-fill bourbon barrels, Port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, wine casks, and Fino sherry butts. Bottled at 43% ABV, the whisky is described as delivering rich stewed fruits on the nose with hints of marzipan and polished leather, a silky smooth palate of buttery toffee sweetness, and a long-lasting oaky finish. The release mirrors Newey’s design philosophy, where every unseen aerodynamic element contributes to overall performance.
The 19-Year-Old, a Global Travel Retail exclusive also bottled at 43% ABV, takes a different approach. Initially matured in traditional whisky casks, the liquid was then divided across Colombian, European, and American oak before being married back together. The Colombian oak provides what Kinsman describes as brightness and lift, with tasting notes of vibrant vanilla, crystallised ginger, sherbet, baked apple, and soft cinnamon.
The partnership between Glenfiddich and Aston Martin F1 connects two organizations with deep roots in British heritage and innovation. Glenfiddich is credited with introducing single malt Scotch to the world beyond Scotland in 1961, drawing from its own water source, the Robbie Dhu. Aston Martin F1, meanwhile, continues to develop its engineering capabilities through the AMR Technology Campus and advanced wind tunnel facilities — the same environment where Newey and his team shape the aerodynamic performance of future cars.
Both brands emphasized responsible enjoyment as part of the announcement, reinforcing the message to never drink and drive.