Chivas Regal and Charles Leclerc release 16YO whisky
Blended Scotch brand Chivas Regal has launched its first 16-year-old whisky, co-created by Formula One driver Charles Leclerc.
The whisky is Leclerc’s first signature blend for Chivas Regal, having signed up asglobal brand ambassadorfor the brand in a multi-year partnership last March. Leclerc’s Formula One team,Scuderia Ferrari HP, is also a partner of the brand. “16 has always been more than a number to me – it’s something I’ve carried my whole career,” Leclerc said. “Going to Scotland, seeing the distilleries, understanding the obsession behind every cask inspired me to create my own blend. Chivas Regal and I share the same belief that the standard you set today is just the starting point.” Leclerc collaborated on the blend with Chivas Brothers’ former master blender Sandy Hyslop, whoretired at the end of last year. The whisky blends 16 'exceptional' whiskies, each aged at least 16 years. A Sherry cask-matured Longmorn single malt, hand-selected by Leclerc on a visit to Scotland, was at the heart of the blend. The number 16 is said to have played a defining part in Leclerc’s life and career, representing both his race number and his birthday (16 October). “I pushed Sandy to go further,” Leclerc continued. “He pushed me to think differently. Chivas Regal 16 felt like the natural next step in our partnership, creating something truly extraordinary together.” Not only is the whisky LeClerc’s first expression for Chivas Regal, but it is also the brand's first 16-year-old release. The whisky features notes of sweet mandarin, raisins and manuka honey on the nose, followed by warm cinnamon and sticky toffee. The palate offers orange marmalade and apple cake, as well as toasted oak and ginger spice. The finish is described as ‘rich, velvety and long’. Chivas Regal 16-Year-Old can be purchased on Amazon for £64 (US$69.99). Hyslop added: “Charles didn’t just put his name to this. He was in the room, making decisions, pushing back. He gravitated toward the character that defines Chivas Regal: rich, layered, built with real depth. What we’ve created together is a blend that’s unmistakably his and unmistakably ours.” The whisky was showcased ahead of the Miami Grand Prix this weekend (1-3 May), where Leclerc and Hyslop took part in an exclusive conversation revisiting the steps that made the blend and celebrating what they built together. Hyslop retired from the master blender role at Chivas Brothers at the end of 2025 after 40 years in the Scotch industry. Alongside Chivas Regal, he was also the creative force behind the liquids at brands such as Royal Salute and Ballantine’s. Kevin Balmforth has succeeded Hyslop in the role, having worked alongside him on the Chivas Brothers blending team for 25 years. To watch the campaign spot for the Chivas Regal 16, click below:
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