65 years in the making: A look inside the launch of our partnership with Glenfiddich

From the rugged Highlands and the slopes of Buckinghamshire to the foothills of the River Mountain Range. Amidst the backdrop of towering red mountain peaks in the Nevada desert, we welcomed the world's most awarded single malt Scotch whisky to our family.

This is a story about hillsides.

In the late 19th century, William Grant knew the Robbie Dhu Spring running down?Glen Fiddich was the perfect spot to build a distillery. Lionel Martin and his business partner Robert Bamford, on the other hand and at the other end of Great Britain, looked up Aston Hill in 1914 where they raced their sports cars and it fuelled their inspiration as they built the first car to bear the name Aston Martin.?There is more, however, that links our two timeless brands than topography alone: a shared passion for excellence and innovation.????

On the eve of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, having teased an announcement earlier in the week, we unveiled?Glenfiddich, the world's most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, as our partner. Our new relationship was toasted at an intimate event out in Nevada's River Mountain Range, not far from the mighty Hoover Dam, with Aston Martin Aramco Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll and Glenfiddich CEO S?ren Hagh sharing a dram to mark the start of a new chapter in the art of whisky and motorsport excellence.?

They did so with a very special bottle, drawn from the distillery's one-and-only remaining barrel of 1959 single-malt –?the year Aston Martin first competed in Formula One. The bottle was presented by Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman, sixth holder of the prestigious title in a line stretching back to the distillery's founding.

The week began with Glenfiddich running a worldwide teaser campaign, illuminating billboards from Piccadilly to Times Square, in the lead-up to launch, followed by a digital and out of home campaign shifting into gear immediately afterwards, carrying the creative content that celebrated our two brands, timeless apart and iconic together. Back on the Strip, we hosted a second event, after Free Practice Two at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, to celebrate the launch with members of the paddock and media as a lone piper played behind the garages as the clock ticked over to midnight.?

Our partnership also extends to the track, with the AMR24 carrying Glenfiddich branding on the front wing end plates, headrest, front-wheel deflectors and nosecone. It is also featured on our drivers' overalls and visor, and team kit, and will continue to do so next season in markets where alcohol sponsorship is permitted.?

Much has changed since William Grant, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford looked up at those hills – but the more things change, the more they stay the same. Glenfiddich moved to its now-iconic triangular bottle in 1961, but traditions are important for this family-owned business. Its famous products are still made in swan-necked copper stills, and still uses spring water from the Robbie Dhu springs, found around the distillery in Dufftown, Scotland. As for Aston Martin Aramco, our home is now very different. Our recently opened AMR Technology Campus is state-of-the-art but while the tools have advanced, a Formula One car is still a work of art handcrafted by our people.?

Rarely does the fit feel immediately quite so perfect as the one between Aston Martin Aramco and Glenfiddich. Our people blend passion, precision and quality, and they craft with an attention to detail only decades of experience can provide. Inspired by heritage and driven by possibility, we are ready to continue our climb.?

Timeless apart. Iconic together. Discover more about the Aston Martin Aramco and Glenfiddich partnership,?here.

SKILFULLY CRAFTED. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

Aston Martin Aramco and Glenfiddich promote responsible attitudes to alcohol. You should never drink and drive. Together our partners at Glenfiddich share our approach and commitment to promote this important message.?