‘THE WATERFORD CUVÉE’ – A NEW EDITION OF OUR FLAGSHIP & A RADICAL NEW ARTISTIC COLLABORATION

Now we are six – and an evolution is coming later this year, a new edition of our lodestar: The Waterford Cuvée. The apogee of our radical philosophy; the ultimate layering of our oldest Single Farm Origins, inspired by the greatest Grand Vins of Bordeaux. Regenerated as a wholly new cuvée concept by Head Distiller Ned, but to the same brief – creating simply the most profound and complex Waterford Whisky possible – our flagship is due to set sail from Grattan Quay this autumn.

And of course, a new edition deserves all-new regalia. For our 2021 iteration we teamed up with Leah Hewson to create a piece of artwork unlike any seen on a bottle of whisky before. For 2023, the search for an artistic collaborator with a perspective as fresh and bold as our own led us to experimental French artist, Nathanaël Koffi.

THE ARTIST: NATHANAËL KOFFI

Nathanaël Koffi’s experimentation with different media, textures, and sensations began with his first exhibition, “Première”, in June 2022. His evolution as an artist is evident from his early ‘skateboard’ works to his current, unconventional creations. Collaborations with notable brands such as Maison Kitsune, Sézane, Moleskine and Adidas have advanced his artistic journey along the way.

Nathanaël’s dynamic and evocative artwork reflects our unique production methodology – which includes terroir-driven distillations, organics and long fermentations – to create the most naturally flavoursome single malts. The contemporary, vibrant visuals mirror the colours of Ireland, terroir, barley, heritage and greenery.

Nathanaël Koffi said, “Through layering colours and patterns, I have aimed to capture the multi-dimensional and complex natural flavours of this ultimate Waterford Whisky cuvée. It harnesses everything I love about Waterford Distillery and its whiskies: body, texture and avant-garde methodologies.” 

ULTIMATE SENSORY COMPLEXITY

Our cuvée concepts are where the exquisite precision of separately matured Single Farm Origins is layered into a symphonic harmony of natural whisky where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. They can be brought into expressions of the seasons, or to reflect the ethos of friends and collaborators, as we do with our limited Micro Cuvées, or they can be our grandest and most orchestral single malts of all. And The Waterford Cuvée: Koffi is just that. Our venerable lodestar, over half as old again as The Cuvée of 2021. The ultimate Waterford Whisky.

Describing our partnership with Nathanaël, Mark Newton, Head of Brand at Waterford Distillery, said: “We needed a radical artist who could not only create the necessary visual energy for a bottle, but someone who could represent sensory complexity – the very purpose of our cuvée concepts – so strikingly. Nathanaël’s paintings, and his often unusual canvasses, stand out a mile; a supreme talent, he was a very natural choice.”

Our new edition of The Waterford Cuvée – “Koffi” – becomes available to curious drinkers this autumn. Stay tuned — don’t go anywhere.