Ballantine’s teams up with Wu-Tang Clan frontman

RZA, the leader of hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, has created a limited edition bottle of Scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s.

The bottle of Ballantine's 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition is inspired by poetry that RZA wrote during his time spent at the home of Ballantine’s in Scotland, which he then left in the library of the brand’s founder, George Ballantine. The brand says the partnership ‘epitomises Scotch whisky meeting American attitude’. The bottle’s label features a pattern created from RZA’s handwritten words, complete with the iconic Wu-Tang Clan hands. RZA said: “This is a true representation of my entire journey with Ballantine’s. On my first visit to Speyside, I found the land and the people so inspiring; it compelled me to capture the experience in a poem. “To see this come to life through the bottle design is a true coming together of our cultures.” Ballantine's 7 American Barrel is aged for seven years and finished in American oak barrels, fusing both Scottish and US styles. Paul-André Vacheron, Ballantine’s marketing director at Chivas Brothers, added: “Our shared belief in doing things your own way is what this collaboration is all about and the unique bottle design, adorned with RZA’s words from his time in Scotland, is the perfect poetic note to end our journey together on.” The bottle is part of a year-long partnership that has seen RZA and Ballantine’s launch a bespoke Crosley record player and speaker, collaborate with Japanese streetwear brand Neighbourhood, and create a Ballantine’s-inspired hot sauce with Flying Goose. Ballantine's 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition will retail for £37.95 (US$48) and is available in limited quantities worldwide.