In the rarefied world where fashion, flavour and fine craftsmanship intersect, a new era of collectible whisky is emerging, one where creativity is as essential as age and provenance. Leading this movement is Johnnie Walker’s couture collaboration with designer Olivier Rousteing, a partnership that elevates whisky-making into an art form of sensory storytelling.
Unveiled high above Marina Bay Sands in a private tasting suite, Couture Expression, the first chapter of the two-part collaboration, reimagines the four seasons through liquid architecture. Co-created by Rousteing and Master Blender Dr Emma Walker, each of the four expressions—Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter—draws from rare ghost whiskies from Brora, Port Dundas and treasures selected from the Vault’s 500-cask library.
Only 25 bottles of each season exist, each encased in a sculptural Baccarat decanter draped in metallic folds that echo Rousteing’s couture signatures. From the floral lift of Spring to the contemplative richness of Winter, the series captures the emotional cadence of time, translated into flavour and form.
This debut is followed by Couture Blend, a deeply personal release marking Rousteing’s 40th year. Limited to 1,500 individually numbered decanters, the blend combines whiskies aged over four decades with experimental casks selected for their tension, contrast and avant-garde depth.
A ghost cask from Port Ellen adds a trailing whisper of smoke, while Roseisle malts matured in ex-wine casks introduce lush, tropical nuances. Rousteing completes this narrative with The Couture Flask, a jewel-like 10ml refillable piece available exclusively in London, turning the act of sipping into a statement.
This spirit of boundary-pushing continues across other luxury releases captivating collectors this season: Yamazaki’s 25 Years Old Mizunara, the oldest fully Mizunara-aged expression from the House of Suntory; The Glendronach’s 30 and 40 Year Old 2025 Editions, shaped by the depth of historic Spanish sherry casks; and The Balvenie Fifty (Second Edition), a 50-year-old Speyside masterpiece crafted from two 1973 casks and housed in a helix of sculpted wood and gold-plated brass.
For connoisseurs and aesthetes alike, these releases reflect a shared ethos: that true luxury lies not just in age, rarity or craftsmanship, but in the stories distilled into every drop and the artistry that brings them to life.
