Luxury met velocity at Club 1959, a one-night celebration of craftsmanship, design and innovation as Glenfiddich partnered with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team to launch the new Glenfiddich 16 Year Old in South Africa.
Hosted at Daytona, the home of some of the continent’s most sought-after performance machines, the evening brought together whisky lovers, F1 fans and the style obsessed for an immersive experience that explored what happens when two legacy brands align on precision and progress.
A Space Built for Performance
Guests arrived through a custom Paddock Entree with bespoke paddock passes before stepping into a space designed to mirror the atmosphere of modern F1 hospitality. The environment featured clean lines, dramatic lighting and displays that blended the craft of whisky making with the engineering excellence behind Aston Martin’s cars.
Behind the bar, world-renowned mixologist Kurt Schlechter, the founder of CAUSE | EFFECT Cocktail Kitchen, created cocktails inspired by the partnership. The 1959 Spritz featured a hand-torched branded orange peel. His theatrical Whisky Old Fashioned arrived with smoking wood chips in a luminous glass.
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Tasting the New Glenfiddich 16 Year Old
Guests joined Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador Gift Makoti for an intimate tasting of the newly launched Glenfiddich 16 Year Old. This expression shows the brand’s commitment to innovation and experimentation. Chef Ramsay elevated the moment with a canapé menu that reimagined South African flavours with refined international technique.
Sound, Style and Statement Machines
As the night progressed, DJ Fistaz Mixwell created a soundtrack that balanced sophistication and energy. Guests dressed in F1 chic outfits moved between Aston Martin’s iconic vehicles and Glenfiddich’s rarest drams. The scene showcased the shared values of performance, legacy and luxury that define both brands.
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A Celebration of Craft and Ambition
“Our partnership with Aston Martin is a celebration of artistry and ambition,” said Lifa Bakana, Senior Brand Manager at Edward Snell and Co. “Club 1959 was created to bring that philosophy to life.”
Gift Makoti echoed the sentiment. “The Glenfiddich 16 Year Old embodies the spirit of progress that both brands share. Every detail, from Dufftown’s stills to the sleek design of Aston Martin, reflects a pursuit of perfection.”
More Than a Launch
Club 1959 delivered more than the debut of a new whisky. It presented a statement of intent from two global icons that continue to push the boundaries of excellence and innovation. For one night in Johannesburg, precision and performance were not only celebrated but fully experienced.
