Art meets whisky at Glenfiddich’s grande composition series | The Guardian Nigeria News

It was a night of glitz and glam as the elegance of Lagos was greeted with exclusive experience of a series of artistic collaborations tagged The Grande Composition, as part of Glenfiddich’s commitment to the development of the creative industry both locally and globally.

The event, which held last weekend in Victoria Island, was part of activities for the launch of the new Glenfiddich addition named ‘The Grande Couronne’.

Guests also witnessed a cross-cultural re-imagination of the new bottle design, as well as the unveiling some of the world’s most exciting artists from 19 countries, including Lagos-based award-winning painter and sculptor, Ayoola Gbolahan.

Drawing inspiration from the original design, the brand put their maverick eye to it, and turned it into something new, celebratory, fresh, and unexpected.

Commenting on the inspiration behind his interpretation of the Grande Couronne filigree, Gbolahan said while immersing himself with the brand, he discovered that Glenfiddich was a product of collaboration with different individuals over several years.

His words: “The bottle and stage were designed by two different people which made me believe that the William Grant family was disciplined and managed to keep the business afloat despite having multiple people that were not related to be part of the design process.”

“I was inspired by all the people and elements that were involved in the product and the artwork represents a fusion of all the minds that were involved in the product.”

With the help of appropriate music, Gbolahan’s art interpretation — limited edition signed sleeves inspired by the art piece — segued into an auction, as the songs echoed from the strategically placed speakers without interruption.

According to gifted and prolific visual artist, proceeds from the auction will be donated to local art foundations in the country, as part of his contribution to the development of industry.

The night kicked off with a brief history of the making of the Grande Couronne by the host, Chico. Guests were treated to a tasting of the Grande Couronne. Glenfiddich’s global brand ambassador, Struan Grant spearheaded the tasting (virtually).

With The Blues Project, a band from the Greenwich Village neighbourhood of New York City and foremost Nigerian dance group Dance Na the Main Thing (DNMT), it was never a dull moment as the former serenaded guests with new-age Soul, Jazz and R&B music, whilst DNMT wowed all with their skillful dance moves.

Speaking at the event, Country Manager Nigeria, William Grant & Sons, Frances Nwosa said, “We are glad to bring the Grande Composition to Nigeria, which is a collision of Glenfiddich and our local culture of impacting the next generation of artists through the proceeds received from the auction.”

“The launch of the Grande Couronne in Nigeria is a testament to the quality and pioneering spirit that has gone into the production of Glenfiddich for over 120 years,” she added.

The brand’s latest addition sits within Glenfiddich’s revolutionary Grande series, a 26-year-old whisky matured in American and European oak casks, and finished in French Cognac casks.