The Balvenie has announced a collaboration with New York-based contemporary artist Daniel Arsham to create a limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky collection. The partnership, titled The Dawn of Our Spirit, was revealed on May 12 and will include immersive experiences across Asia and the United States.
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READ THE STORYThe collaboration pairs Arsham with The Balvenie’s malt master, Kelsey McKechnie. Together, the two will explore the distillery’s Five Rare Crafts: its barley, cooperage, malting floor, copper stills and the role of the malt master.
The project will culminate in a hand-crafted whisky collection featuring an ultra-rare release and collectible limited editions. Each bottling will embody one of the Five Rare Crafts, with artistic interpretation by Arsham.
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The Balvenie’s Home Floor Maltings, which began operation around 1931 and remains largely unchanged, serves as a central theme of the collaboration. The Speyside distillery is one of the few remaining in the Scottish Highlands that grows its own barley, maintains traditional floor maltings and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on site.
Kelsey McKechnie, malt master at The Balvenie, said: “The Balvenie’s approach remains the same today as it always has been; it is a story of artistry, innovation and human endeavor. Our collaboration with Daniel Arsham has become a creative dialogue exploring the enduring character of our spirit, formed by our consistent approach across multiple generations. We look forward to unveiling our collaboration to the world, later this year.”
Daniel Arsham said: “Learning of The Balvenie’s time-honored skills and its dedication to the most traditional methods of making whisky is inspiring. Our collaboration is rooted in a shared respect for both process and time.”
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Arsham is known for his signature “eroded” aesthetic, in which artifacts are rendered as though excavated from the future. His work blends sculpture, architecture, performance and design, and is held in collections at major museums worldwide.
The Balvenie is produced by William Grant & Sons, the independent family-owned distiller founded in 1887. The brand has described the Arsham partnership as its most ambitious collaboration to date.
Further details on the collection, including pricing and release dates, are expected later in 2026. More information is available at thebalvenie.com.
