Making art and blending whisky – both pursuits require skill, an idea, and time… lots of time. British artist and sculptor Conrad Shawcross instantly felt the connection between his work and the crafting of exceptional whisky when he visited the Royal Salute distillery in the north-east of Scotland.
“It was a truly pivotal moment,” recalls Shawcross of his time spent at Strathisla. “What stood out most vividly was the sheer, almost unfathomable amount of time involved in the whisky-making process. I was profoundly struck by that. It was an incredibly humbling experience to witness where such precious Royal Salute blends are realised.”
Shawcross went to Strathisla and met Royal Salute master blender Sandy Hyslop to seek inspiration for an artwork titled Time Chamber, a piece made with glass, wood and bronze that represents how time shapes creativity and craft.
“The shared mindset between my artistic process and Royal Salute’s craft was absolutely fundamental to this collaboration,” explains Shawcross. “What quickly became evident was our mutual respect for time and the understanding that true perfection can never be rushed. My sculptures demand a methodical approach, careful experimentation and immense patience. Similarly, Royal Salute’s commitment to aging their whiskies for a minimum of 21 years is the ultimate testament to patience and the transformative power of time.”
Speaking the Same Language
Further similarities between the two crafts appeared and provided Shawcross with ideas for the design of Time Chamber. “The intricate and precise nature of blending, where different whiskies are expertly combined to achieve a perfectly balanced flavour profile mirrored my own approach to art,” he says. “The understanding that perfection can never be rushed and that every detail contributes to the final masterpiece, whether a sculpture or a blend, was a guiding principle.”
Limited to just 21 pieces worldwide and priced at $120,000, the Time Chamber also contains a crystal vessel filled with a precious 53-year-old whisky to commemorate the year 1953 when Royal Salute was established as a tribute to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Shawcross unveiled his masterpiece at Dubai Watch Week, alongside a preview of Royal Salute’s 62 Gun Salute Peated Edition ahead of its launch across the UAE.
Shawcross concludes, “The entire piece became a celebration of this shared belief that dedicated craftsmanship – over time – can evoke wonder and enchantment. It allowed for a truly harmonious creation where the art and the liquid speak the same language of enduring quality.”
The Royal Salute Time Chamber by Conrad Shawcrossis is offered in an extremely limited release of 21 pieces worldwide, available for purchase for RRP $120,000 through Le Cercle, Pernod Ricard’s private members’ society Le Cercle by Pernod Ricard.
The Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute Collection is available at Le Clos and MMI stores and online, or contact Le Cercle by Pernod Ricard for further information. The collection will also be available at the Royal Salute Boutique in Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 Departures.