Aston Martin and Glenfiddich® announce global partnership at Monterey Car Week

Now here’s something that’ll have collectors reaching for their wallets – Glenfiddich has just announced a proper global partnership with Aston Martin, and they’re marking it with a seriously special release.

This isn’t just some marketing handshake either. The collaboration launched at Monterey Car Week, building on Glenfiddich’s existing tie-up with the Aston Martin F1 team. What caught my attention though is the whisky they’ve chosen to commemorate this partnership – a 1976 vintage that’s been aging for 48 years.

Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, has pulled something quite clever here. This isn’t just any old cask from the ’70s. The whisky started life in a refill sherry cask before being transferred to a 100-litre European oak sherry cask that was specially coopered for the job. The timing is symbolic too – 1976 was when Glenfiddich introduced that iconic stag’s head logo and built their new still house, while Aston Martin was pushing boundaries with design concepts that still influence their cars today.

The tasting notes sound promising: red berry sweetness and butter pastry on the nose, with sherbet touches. On the palate, you’re looking at dry oak tannins balanced with sweet stewed fruits and toasted wood, finishing with sweet oak spice. At 48.8% ABV, it’s got proper strength behind it.

Here’s the kicker though – only 50 bottles worldwide, available exclusively through The Distillers Library and the distillery itself. Given the age, the story, and that tiny allocation, this is going to be one for the serious collectors rather than casual drinkers.

What’s interesting is how both brands are positioning this around shared values of craftsmanship and innovation. Claudia Falcone from Glenfiddich mentioned they’re pairing the whisky launch with Aston Martin’s new Valhalla hybrid supercar – both representing that blend of heritage and forward-thinking approach.

It’s a smart partnership that makes sense on paper, even if the whisky will be priced well beyond most people’s reach. Still, for those 50 lucky enough to get a bottle, they’ll have something genuinely special that captures a pivotal moment for both brands.