Beluga reveals Lalique Epicure II worth €15,000

Beluga Vodka and French crystal house Lalique have reunited to launch the second limited edition in the Epicure Series.

Limited to 888 handmade decanters, Beluga Epicure Series II was inspired by the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus. The crystal bottle was designed and and made by hand by Lalique. Marc Larminaux, artistic and creative director of Lalique, commented: “With the Epicure II decanter, we explore the art of living, a way of making a moment eternal through simple, beautiful moments and objects that give shape to life. "Beluga and Lalique are offering collectors around the world a chance to acquire precious and miraculous objet d’art embedded with a unique heritage and craftsmanship." Beluga Epicure Series II will be available to purchase in December 2024 and has a suggested retail price of €15,000 (US$16,300/£12,500) per piece. For Beluga Vodka, the expression has been 'an ambitious journey to ensure the purest spirit'. Made with grain from the Baltics, the vodka is crafted along the Adriatic Riviera in Montenegro. The final step in production sees the vodka rest for 100 days before bottling. The release was inspired by water. The crystal decanter has been crafted to resemble a water drop adorned with two reinterpreted Bacchantes motifs – the dancing priestesses of Bacchus – by René Lalique. The detail pays homage to the glassmaker’s recurring depictions of the female shape throughout his Art Nouveau-informed pieces. The decanter is topped with an objet d'art blue stopper. Katerina Mechetina, a board member for Noblewood Group, said: "The Beluga Epicure Series II is an artistic manifestation of two luxury brands, both renowned for their craftsmanship and excellence. For Beluga, creating unmatched products within its category is vital. It showcases the brand's distinctive character and timeless luxury appeal. "The decanter, inspired by water, is crafted at the Lalique crystal atelier in Alsace using the hot glassblowing technique, undergoing 10 specialised workshops to achieve its final form. Each decanter is hand-engraved with a unique serial number, making it a remarkable collector’s item worthy of the finest Beluga vodka. "The partnership between Beluga and Lalique highlights our commitment to driving innovation and excellence in the luxury market." Last year, a report by Technavio revealed the global vodka category is predicted to rise by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% from 2022 to 2027.