Chivas Regal Introduces 'Crystalgold', a Crystal-Clear Whisky Inspired by Charles Leclerc

Chivas Regal has unveiled its most radical release to date: Crystalgold, a crystal-clear spirit filtered from matured Scotch whisky that’s been stripped of the golden hue that has defined the category for centuries. Developed as a disruptive play designed to question how whisky is seen, served and consumed, Chivas Regal’s latest expression has a lighter profile compared to traditional traditional whiskys and is being aimed at the earlier evening moments traditionally dominated by gins and tequilas, signalling the brand’s intent to expand whisky occasions beyond the late-night pour.

The brand describes its new drink as a “a revolutionary, game-changing innovation” and has launched it to coincide with the Singapore Grand Prix this week. Crystalgold, it says, was “inspired” by its partnership with its global ambassador and Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc – and together the pair have also co-created a new drink dubbed the Leclerc Spritz, a cocktail made with by pairing the new liquid with citrus, elderflower, mint, sparkling wine and soda.

A whisky in all but name, the new liquid was developed under the eye of Chivas Regal’s master blender Sandy Hyslop – a Scotsman with over 40 years experience in whisky – who said the brand “wanted to really surprise people” with its latest drink. “We’ve done lots of different expressions before,” Hyslop tells Hypebeast, “but we really, really pushed the boundaries on what we can do to make an amazing whisky” with Crystalgold he added.

The new spirit was created in the same way as traditional whisky – being aged in oak casks, giving it notes of vanilla, apple, citrus and gentle spice – before being put through a precision filtration process to remove its color while preserving its character. “We put it through a special carbon filtration done at a different temperature and slower flow rate than we’ve used before,” Hyslop says, “and processed it at a much higher strength, then reduced it after the filtration. Not one single part of the production process for Chivas Regal Crystalgold is the same as Chivas Regal 12. It was a complete learning process for myself and my team from start to finish.”

The process described by the master blender results is a liquid that looks like vodka, but carries the rounded depth of oak-aged Scotch; yet, while regulatory definitions mean Crystalgold sits outside the Scotch category and it is officially labelled a “spirit drink” (not a whisky), Chivas is positioning it as a bold evolution rather than a complete departure.

Visually, the bottle has been designed to stand out: Clear glass with gold detailing allows the liquid to refract light like crystal, ensuring visibility across both the back bars and the retail shelves. Chivas is also limiting distribution to premium venues and select retailers, helping to further drive the elevated narrative surrounding the new drink.

The new drink arrives at an interesting time for the drinks industry in which changing tastes – and shifting attitudes towards alcohol altogether among in some demographics – are challenging brands to think outside of the box. For Chivas, the gamble is clear: While Crystalgold risks alienating purists who view whisky’s colour and tradition as inseparable, it also positions the brand at the edge of innovation where heritage collides with modern drinking culture.

Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend, Hypebeast also caught up with Chivas Regal’s global brand ambassdor and Formula 1 superstar Charles Leclerc. We discussed everything from drinks to hidden talents – check out our full conversation below now.

As a Formula 1 driver, I imagine life is pretty fast – no pun intended. What do you do to slow down, to reset?

Well, I spend time with my close ones and people that have known me for many, many years and know who I really. I always try to be myself as much as possible without filters, but when you are with your close ones it’s… it’s where I relax and where I feel most myself. And also music. Music took a very important role in my life since Covid – especially piano. I played piano and it’s a way for me to disconnect from from racing and from that very fast-paced life.

Do you have any pre-race rituals or are there any albums you like listening to in the run up to a big race?

I’m very, very curious not only musically but overall, and most of the time I listen to playlists with the new [songs] of the week. So I don’t necessarily listen over and over to any one song – I mean, it happens sometimes, obviously! – but most of the time I just like to discover new music, new genres, and different artists.

What made you take up piano?

Probably boredom! [laughs] During Covid, I had so much free time and I was spending a lot of time at home because I had to. I had the simulator to practice racing, but also time for some of my other passions like chess. And it’s where I also started playing the piano – and I loved it. I’ve always been – I’ve always considered myself a very creative person, but I never really found the place to show that or to go a bit deeper into it, and that was the time where I could actually dedicate myself to a new passion. And piano was what I chose – and I loved it.

Piano, chess and Formula 1 – that’s a very refined trio. You inspire a lot of people, but what brings you inspiration?

I took most inspiration, growing up, from my father. Every kid can look up to their father and he gave me all the values that I stand with today. But, again, I’m very curious – about people, of where they come from, of how they got their the success and how they live life. And inspire myself by people. Not from a single person specifically, just from people in general, just to share experiences and to try and understand the path of people. That, for me, is very, very interesting. And that inspires me.

If you weren’t a Formula 1 driver, what do you think you you might have been?

Oh, I mean, I wish I could say a composer, but I think I probably would have go down the road of being an architect, because it’s still a creative world and a world that I really enjoy as well. So, probably an architect.

Are there any sports outside of Formula 1 that you spend time practicing, or doing for fun?

Yes, there’s padel now that I play quite often and really enjoy. I’ve done swimming, done running. When I was a kid I was changing sports every two or three months! So, I mean, I’ve done many, many sports. But now the one that remains probably the strongest is padel.

If you could swap lives for a day with another athlete, who would it be?

Probably a tennis player, I think, because of the fact that they’ve got to always think ahead of the game and because it’s just a very interesting dynamic. It’s a very mental sport – the mental makes a big difference in tennis, so, yeah, why not a tennis player for day?!

You’re a global ambassador for Chivas Regal – what’s your go-to drink?

Well, actually, I’ve been working with Chivas to create my own cocktail, which was a very interesting experience. It has elderflower, lime… the team can give you the full list because there are quite a few ingredients, but I remember loving it! We called it the Leclerc Spritz, so I’ve got to go with that one because I really enjoyed it and it came from me. So, yeah, that’s my favorite!

So if you were stranded on a desert island and had to pick three people to share the Leclerc Spritz with, who would they be?

I mean, my girlfriend, for sure [laughs] that’ll be one. And then I’ll take my two brothers, but I couldn’t leave my mum alone so I’d bring her as well – if you’d allow me to take a fourth person?

Sure, you can have a fourth.

Thank you, man!

What’s something about you that might surprise people to learn?

I think probably my music side. The fact that I compose music, I thought that this was something that was kind of [better] known because I put it on my socials etcetera, but I’ve been actually surprised that sometimes people still don’t know about it. I mean, I’ve got some songs on Spotify, and when I say that most of the time people don’t expect that, so I’d probably say it’s this.

What’s a piece of advice you’ve received any point in your life that’s really stuck with you, and that you’d like to share?

To just stay true to yourself. I stay true to myself and stay grounded as well. My father always told me that. I was never arrogant, but it was just part of him as well and he was telling it to me. These are probably the two pieces of advice that I always remind myself of. I probably have to remind it to myself less now because it’s kind of part of me now, but, yeah, just to be true to myself, and to try to have the least amount of filters as possible.

Thanks for your time, Charles. I’m going to check out your compositions on Spotify – is it just your name or do you have, like, a music name?

Yes, just my name! Just my name. Thank you.

Click here to check out Charles Leclerc on Spotify.