A Journey of Flavorful Memories and Artistic Expression in Highland Park
Highland Park’s latest whisky release begins with an intriguing challenge: envisioning what flavor looks like. For the second installment of the Between You and I series, the distillery collaborates with New York-based artist Laila Gohar to craft a 17-year-old single malt that harmonizes taste with visual storytelling.
A Whirlwind of Sensory Collaborations
Master Whisky Maker Marc Watson embarked on a detailed journey, sampling over 80 casks. He drew from Gohar’s Egyptian roots, infusing the whisky’s first 11 years in refill casks before transferring it to unseasoned American oak. This technique elevates its notes of orange blossom, leather, and warming spice, while preserving the distillery’s signature peat smoke.
Translating Flavors into Artistic Narratives
Gohar’s evocative interpretation lends a unique visual character to the project. Leather invokes the mysteries of a Cairo museum, orange blossom brings to life an Andalusian courtyard, and vanilla evokes a tropical volcano under starlit skies. These inspirations guided the creation of the packaging, featuring Silja Goetz’s hand-drawn illustrations intertwined with imagined stories.
For a deeper dive into design, Adam Goodrum’s vibrant creations further explore the fusion of art with everyday objects.
Redefining Traditional Tasting Experiences
“My work reshapes objects, ingredients, and flavors into something familiar yet delightfully surprising,” Gohar explains. “This whisky collaboration was a seamless fit.” Inside the box, traditional tasting notes give way to Gohar’s vignettes, inviting drinkers to connect with the spirit through personal imagination rather than mere descriptions.
The Between You and I collection by Laila Gohar for this iconic brand is available worldwide, priced at $160.
Editorial Transparency: This article was crafted with assistance from AI tools for research, outlining, editing, or copy refinement. The Design Milk editorial team conducted reporting, fact-checking, and editorial decisions.
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Source: design-milk.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the collaboration between Highland Park and Laila Gohar about?
Highland Park collaborated with New York-based artist Laila Gohar to craft a 17-year-old single malt whisky that harmonizes taste with visual storytelling, as part of the Between You and I series.
How did Master Whisky Maker Marc Watson approach the whisky creation?
Marc Watson sampled over 80 casks, drawing from Laila Gohar’s Egyptian roots, infusing the whisky’s first 11 years in refill casks before transferring it to unseasoned American oak. This technique elevated its notes of orange blossom, leather, and warming spice.
How is flavor translated into art in this project?
Gohar’s interpretation lends a visual character, where leather evokes a Cairo museum, orange blossom depicts an Andalusian courtyard, and vanilla suggests a tropical volcano. These guided the creation of the packaging, featuring Silja Goetz’s illustrations.