What happens when a storied Speyside distillery meets the world’s most adrenaline-fuelled motorsport? You get a collaboration that’s as elegant as it is electrifying. Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, has joined forces with Aston Martin Formula One Team in a collaboration that feels both inevitable and inspired—a natural meeting of two icons who know a thing or two about engineering excellence.
At the heart of this collaboration are two exceptional releases—the Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old and the Glenfiddich 19-Year-Old—each capturing the spirit of speed through distinct maturation stories.
The Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old marries American oak wine casks, new American barrels and second-fill bourbon casks, creating a whisky that’s rich, sweet, and silky. Expect notes of cheesecake base, maple syrup, and caramelised ginger, finishing with a long, velvety sweetness. It’s confident yet approachable.
Then there’s the Glenfiddich 19-Year-Old. Matured in American and European oak casks with a Montilla wine cask influence, it layers raisins, dates, and dark chocolate with nutmeg, cinnamon and a lingering woody spice. Complex, warm, and quietly powerful—the perfect travel companion, as it’s exclusively available at global travel retailers.
To toast the partnership, we sat down with Glenfiddich’s global brand ambassador Struan Grant Ralph—the charismatic Scotsman who once called Singapore home—during F1 race week in Singapore to unpack what ties these two icons together, how whisky culture is evolving, and why he believes Glenfiddich has a touch of Fernando Alonso in its spirit.
You’ve been with Glenfiddich for quite some time. Tell us about your first experience with the brand and how it shaped your perception of it.
I was born and bred in Speyside—really the heart of whisky-making in the world. If you stand in the centre of my hometown, there are about 55 distilleries within ten miles. Whisky is just part of our culture.
My start with Glenfiddich actually came when I moved to Singapore in 2012. I lived here for two years, looking after malts in the early days of our business within the region. What struck me most was the brand’s strong affinity with customers here and the sheer number of enthusiasts. That had a big impact on me.
You’ve worked across continents—from Singapore to New York and London—all with William Grant & Sons. What keeps you loyal to Glenfiddich?
It’s always felt like family. Even though Glenfiddich is huge globally, it’s still a family business at heart—truly independent, innovative, and committed to doing things properly. That sense of heritage mixed with forward-thinking is something I’ve always admired.
If Glenfiddich were to embody an F1 driver, who would it be?
Fernando Alonso.
Why? Well, he’s a good age—the same age as me, actually—experienced, European, talented, and charismatic. Just like Glenfiddich! His name—as well as Lance’s [Stroll]—are also on the bottle for our Aston Martin Formula One edition, which makes it a nice little parallel.
Both Glenfiddich and Aston Martin F1 share values like heritage, performance, and craftsmanship. How do you see these parallels come together through this partnership?
Both brands have a true sense of heritage and history, but they’re also hyper-modern. I like that they exist in luxury, but it’s an enjoyment of luxury that’s not too formal. And of course, [both brand colours are] green!
What sets Glenfiddich apart in today’s whisky landscape?
For its size, it’s still a family business, which is rare. We’re independent, we innovate constantly, and we have the ability to release whiskies at significant ages, like the new 1959, for example. You don’t often see that level of patience and craft.
Have you noticed consumer preferences shifting in whisky over the years?
Absolutely. The demographic’s gotten younger, and there’s a lot more female drinkers now. Whisky isn’t just a nightcap anymore, it’s part of high-energy occasions, aperitivo moments, or paired with food. Around the world, people are drinking whisky in more dynamic ways.
We also work closely with women-in-whisky organisations, and fun fact: the majority of our Glenfiddich team is female. Whisky should be for everyone.
If someone new to whisky wanted to start with Glenfiddich, what would you recommend?
The 16-Year-Old Glenfiddich x Aston Martin F1 edition, our new release. It’s sweet, vibrant, and accessible, the perfect first experience of the brand. The 19-Year-Old is amazing too, but it’s a bit harder to find in retail. This one’s delicious, great with food, and perfect as an aperitivo.
In your role, what excites you most about Glenfiddich’s future?
Definitely the partnership with Aston Martin and where we’ll take it next. It’s been a steep learning curve for me—I’ve spent years presenting whisky, and now I’m talking about motorsport and cars too. It’s a fascinating new audience, and the future’s bright.
And personally, what do you make of this partnership?
It feels authentic. For both brands, it opens the door to a new audience and a whole new arena. F1 is growing rapidly around the world, and Aston Martin’s fans are exactly our target audience. It’s the perfect fit.
Finally, a fun one: what’s been your most memorable F1 moment so far?
Probably the Singapore Grand Prix. It’s wild. Back-to-back events, non-stop energy. Silverstone is amazing too, but unless you’ve got a helicopter, it’s hard to get around. No one’s given me one yet…yet being the key word!
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