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Mortlach distillery appoints Creative Director, Philippe Starck
By Tessa Crowley | 16 October 2024 | Design, Food & Drink, Indulge
As Philippe Starck takes the reins at historic Mortlach distillery, he shares the inspiration behind caged whisky trio ‘L’Evolution’, the first release under his creative guidance
One of Speyside’s oldest distilleries, Mortlach, has appointed its first-ever Creative Director, famed designer and creator Philippe Starck. Known for its unique 2.81 distillation process, Mortlach was founded in 1823 and offers rich whiskies from its six bespoke stills. Illustrating the distillery’s desire to modernise and introduce a new era, Mortlach has welcomed visionary designer and creative, Philippe Starck, to the helm.
For Starck, “it is a deep love-at-first sight, the feeling of drinking history”. His understanding of the distillery is one that “is the result of a scientific genius”. “Since its creation, the brand has been inventing and exploring new territories, crafting whiskies that are incredibly rich without any gimmick or anything superfluous” he expands.
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Introducing the first new collection under his guidance, he has endeavoured to create “a new language of whisky that speaks directly to the soul”. Featuring three distinctive spirits – Begin, Become, and Beyond – the trio represents the life of the distillery and different phases of whisky creation. And, in a first for the distillery, Begin features ‘new make’ spirit, shared before it reaches the three year minimum Scotch whisky maturation.
Under Starck’s direction, each of the three bottles have been encased with an innovative and durable 3D printed cage, resembling the ‘gyri’ of the brain. “The form of the cage comes from the gyrus, the circumvolution of the brain.” For Starck, it is symbolic of “human intelligence creating human intelligence, to reveal the subconscious of the whisky”. Encapsulated in contrasting metals, Begin features a modern, raw aluminium cage; Beyond is protected by sophisticated pink copper; while Become features an organic design with an alluring soft-to-touch finish.
“The case is technically interesting because it creates a permanent shadow that protects the spirit and when in metal it ensures temperature inertia – whether it is cold or warm it guarantees a delay on temperature change. This is pure semantics: we created the most beautiful whisky, and we put it in a cage to protect it. Everything in my work has a meaning and a reason to exist.”
Mortlach’s Master Blender, Dr. Craig Wilson adds: “Creating this collection with Philippe Starck was inspiring and unforgettable. His visionary approach perfectly complements Mortlach’s legacy for crafting uncompromising and complex whiskies. The spirits themselves are exceptional, showcasing the depth and character for which Mortlach is admired around the world.”