Ballantine's unveils Artist Series gift packs

Ballantine’s Scotch whisky will be available this Christmas in a range of three limited edition gift packs designed by album cover artist Leif Podhajsky. The striking new packs are the first in an Artist Series, an initiative that will see Ballantine’s collaborate with a different creative talent every year.

Leif Podhajsky has created some of the most distinctive and beautiful album artwork of the last decade and music fans will instantly recognise his sonically-inspired landscapes inspired by the natural world. Staying true to his creative origins, the collaboration with Ballantine’s as part of the Artist Series has allowed Podhajsky to take inspiration from the award-winning Scotch whisky as well as the stunning, natural landscapes of Scotland, resulting in three beautiful limited edition designs.

Each distinctive gift pack design references the Ballantine’s story in separate ways. The Ballantine’s Finest tin captures the movement of the liquid, inspired by the complexity, depth and gold colour of this renowned whisky blend. The Ballantine’s Finest neoprene sleeve takes inspiration from two of the most vital and natural elements involved in the whisky production process: fire and water.

The Ballantine’s 12 Year Old tin is an abstract interpretation of Scotland’s unique scenery, capturing the light of the sky, the rugged nature of Scotland’s Highlands region and the country’s flowing streams.

Leif Podhajsky says of the collaboration: “Before starting on the designs for Ballantine’s, I spent time in Scotland exploring the wild, natural landscapes and understanding the whisky-making process. Immersing myself in the subject’s culture is how I begin when designing album cover artwork. From this point, images start to form organically. The Ballantine’s Artist Series partnership was an extremely rewarding project to work on, giving me complete creative freedom and allowing me to stay true to my own artistic style.”

Peter Moore, global brand director for Ballantine’s, adds: “At Ballantine’s we are passionate about supporting artists that share the ethos of staying true to themselves. It has been a great pleasure to work with an artist as creative, distinctive and as innovative as Leif on our inaugural partnership for the Artist Series. Providing excellent on-shelf standout thanks to his eye-catching designs, the limited editions present a modern take on our celebrated Ballantine’s whisky, so we are certain they will be a must have for whisky and art connoisseurs alike.”

The Ballantine’s Artist Series Limited Edition Gift Packs will be available globally from the end of October at the same price as Ballantine’s Finest and Ballantine’s 12 Year Old. 

13 October 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor