Benriach’s 31-Year-Old ‘Shades of Smoke’ Malt Marries Whisky and Digital Art

Benriach has launched its “Shades of Smoke” collection with a 31-year-old single malt, one of Speyside’s oldest peated whiskies. Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie describes it as “chocolate clouds spiked with hibiscus.” Partnering with artist Stefano Contiero, Benriach transformed tasting notes into evolving digital artwork, blending tradition with innovation.  

Benriach has unveiled a striking new chapter in its whisky-making story with the launch of the “Shades of Smoke” collection, beginning with a 31-year-old single malt that pushes the boundaries of both flavour and design. Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie describes the expression evocatively as “chocolate clouds spiked with hibiscus and spiced orange caramel,” a poetic rendering of one of the oldest peated whiskies ever to emerge from Speyside.  

This release is not simply about age or rarity; it is about reimagining how whisky can be experienced. The 31-year-old malt represents a rare exploration of peated character at significant maturity, offering a smoky depth that is softened and enriched by decades of cask influence. For collectors and enthusiasts, it is a glimpse into Speyside’s seldom-seen smoky heritage, a reminder that peat has long been part of the region’s story even if overshadowed by lighter styles.  

To capture the whisky’s complexity, Benriach turned to digital artist Stefano Contiero, whose work thrives on organic algorithms and evolving forms. Together, they translated tasting notes into a living piece of art. The packaging itself becomes dynamic, shifting in appearance as if mirroring the interplay of smoke, fruit, and spice within the spirit. This collaboration signals a bold departure from static design, positioning the bottle as both vessel and canvas.  

The partnership between Barrie and Contiero underscores Benriach’s ambition to fuse tradition with innovation. Barrie’s mastery of blending ensures the whisky remains rooted in Speyside’s craft, while Contiero’s digital artistry brings a contemporary lens, inviting drinkers to see whisky not just as liquid but as multisensory experience. It is a union of heritage and modernity, where centuries of distilling expertise meet the possibilities of algorithmic creativity.  

For Benriach, the “Shades of Smoke” collection is more than a product launch; it is a statement of intent. By marrying whisky-making with digital art, the brand is carving out a new narrative in the spirits industry, one that embraces storytelling beyond the glass. The 31-year-old malt is positioned as a rare and collectible release, but its significance lies equally in the way it reframes whisky as a cultural artefact, capable of evolving alongside contemporary artistic expression.  

As the first edition in the collection, this release sets a high bar. It invites whisky lovers to indulge not only in the sensory pleasures of taste and aroma but also in the visual journey of packaging that breathes with life. In doing so, Benriach has created a whisky that is both timeless and forward-looking, a testament to the enduring allure of smoke and the limitless possibilities of art.