F1 Racer Charles Leclerc Debuts 16-Year-Old Whisky Alongside Chivas Regal

(Photos: Chivas Regal)

On Wednesday, Scottish whisky brand Chivas Regal announced the release a 16-year-old expression developed in collaboration with Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc as part of the brand’s expanding push into global sports partnerships.

The limited-edition release, available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $69.99, marks Leclerc’s debut signature blend and represents the first time the Scotch brand has released a whisky with a 16-year age statement.

The project centers on the number 16, which has defined Leclerc’s racing career. The blend combines 16 different whiskies, each aged at least 16 years, reflecting a concept the driver helped shape alongside Master Blender Sandy Hyslop.

“16 has always been more than a number to me – it’s something I’ve carried my whole career,” Leclerc said in a news release. “Going to Scotland, seeing the distilleries, understanding the obsession behind every cask inspired me to create my own blend. Chivas Regal and I share the same belief that the standard you set today is just the starting point. I pushed Sandy to go further. He pushed me to think differently. Chivas Regal 16 felt like the natural next step in our partnership, creating something truly extraordinary together.”

According to the company, the whisky was developed through a hands-on process, with Leclerc actively involved in tasting, selection, and final blend decisions rather than serving in a traditional ambassador role.

Chivas Regal says that during development, Leclerc, a global ambassador for the brand, identified sherry cask-matured Longmorn single malt as a key component, influencing the whisky’s overall profile. The resulting blend emphasizes layered fruit and spice characteristics, with citrus, dried fruit, and baking spice notes carrying through to a long, textured finish.

The release was accompanied by the following video spot:

The release was unveiled Wednesday in Miami ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, aligning with Chivas Regal’s ongoing partnership with the Scuderia Ferrari team.

The launch underscores the brand’s strategy of linking product innovation with global sports audiences, particularly through high-profile ambassador collaborations.

The 16-year-old expression expands Chivas Regal’s core range, which includes established age statements such as 12, 18, and 25 years. Internally, the release has been positioned as a step forward in both innovation and storytelling, built around a “challenge-driven” development approach.

The whisky is now available nationwide.