The Balvenie Launches Limited Edition Design Packaging Representing the Changing Seasons

Brown-Forman Japan (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Aaron J. Martin), the Japanese subsidiary of the global spirits company Brown-Forman, will release a special limited edition package for 'The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood,' designed by Hong Kong-born artist Victo Ngai. The product will be available in limited quantities starting May 25 (Monday) at select retailers. ■ Gifting the Changing Seasons: 'The Balvenie x Victo Ngai Limited Design Package'. The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood, a flagship product, now features a new limited edition design by the award-winning Hong Kong-born artist Victo Ngai. The brand's philosophy, 'Time is the source of creativity,' is expressed through Ngai's unique and multi-layered design. The theme of 'The Changing Seasons' symbolizes The Balvenie's patient approach to whisky making: Spring represents the beginning of the journey, Summer represents energy and vitality, Autumn represents transition, and Winter represents the fruits of maturation. ■ Myths and Craftsmanship Embedded in the Design A special collaboration has been realized between The Balvenie, known for its innovative craftsmanship, and Victo Ngai, who possesses a deep understanding and respect for the distillery's roots. The packaging serves as a canvas for storytelling, with myths, legends, and the core philosophy of the brand hidden in the rich details of the design. Symbol of Cask Finish: The 'cask finish' method established by The Balvenie in 1983 is symbolically intertwined in the design with two trees, where the growth rings represent the years of maturation. Exploring the Seasons: Ngai embodies The Balvenie's philosophy through the changing seasons. Spring: Evokes the hope and anticipation of the early stages of whisky making, featuring bees drinking nectar from stamens shaped like barley ears within a peony, representing the iconic honey flavor of The Balvenie. Summer: Recalls the energy of the fully operational distillery. Smoke rising from the malt house chimney is mythically depicted as the 'Green Lady,' a resident ghost of The Balvenie. A Scottish Deerhound watching from the stream pays homage to the 'dipping dog,' a copper tube once used for unauthorized sampling. Autumn: Tells the story of 'transition' as precious spirit evolves in depth and character over time. The transformation from a pupa to a butterfly with golden-leaf wings symbolizes the evolution of barley grains into deep spirit and the rewarded patience. Winter: Brings 'maturation,' with quiet strength shown through a soaring snow bunting, its wings reflecting the cycle of craftsmanship and time. As snowflakes fall, they turn into golden drops, delivering the long-awaited gift of whisky. Additionally, the Robbie Dhu spring, the distillery's water source, is depicted as golden drops falling from dew-covered flowers. A lone traveler floating thoughtfully on a drifting oak leaf embodies the attitude of The Balvenie's patient craftsmen, tasked with harmonizing natural processes with human hands. Artist Victo Ngai commented: 'The Balvenie carries a rich story that spans both the distillery itself and the whisky produced there. It was a true joy to express these in a visual form. We found many commonalities in our creative approaches, from our dedication to craftsmanship and the desire to explore new possibilities, to the belief that meaningful work is rarely achieved by taking the easy path.' [Product Overview] Product Name: The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood Limited Design Package Recommended Retail Price: 10,310 JPY (excluding tax) Alcohol Content: 40% Shipment Start Date: May 25, 2026 (Limited production, available at select stores) Volume: 700ml Category: Whisky / Malt Origin: Scotland Features: Aged for over 12 years in American oak casks and finished for 9 months in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry casks, gaining a distinctive character. It features mellow honey and vanilla notes with sweet fruit, warm cinnamon, and spice. This special limited edition was designed by Hong Kong-born illustrator Victo Ngai, reflecting The Balvenie's respect for nature and craftsmanship through the changing seasons. Tasting Notes Sweet fruit aroma layered with honey and vanilla Smooth and mellow taste with a harmony of nutty sweetness, spicy cinnamon, and delicate sherry notes Warm and rich lingering finish Inquiries: Brown-Forman Japan, Toll-free 0120-785-047 [About The Balvenie] Established in 1887 by William Grant, The Balvenie Distillery is still operated by William Grant & Sons, with the family legacy continuing today. The Balvenie maintains five rare crafts to create its unique taste. It is the only distillery in Speyside, Scotland, that grows its own barley, uses traditional floor malting, and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on-site. Under Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie, the expressions retain the signature honeyed flavor of The Balvenie. [About Victo Ngai] Victo Ngai is a Hong Kong-born, Los Angeles-based illustrator and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She has been featured in Forbes' '30 Under 30' and is a gold medal winner from the Society of Illustrators in New York. Her work appears in The New York Times, The New Yorker, NBC, DreamWorks, and Penguin Random House. She teaches at SVA and the Illustration Academy and travels globally for guest lectures and workshops. [About Brown-Forman] With over 155 years of history, Brown-Forman is a global spirits company based in Louisville, Kentucky. It produces iconic brands including Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and The Balvenie. With approximately 5,000 employees, it sells high-quality spirits in over 170 countries. Brown-Forman: https://www.brown-forman.com Brown-Forman Japan: https://www.brown-forman.com/Japan Please drink responsibly. Do not drink while pregnant or nursing. Drinking and driving is prohibited by law. Please recycle after drinking.