Beloved heritage brand Fabergé has partnered with Dublin- and London-based the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. to create an unimaginably opulent whiskey set for connoisseurs who thirst for the rare and unusual.
A dragon’s lair in miniature, the Emerald Isle Collection whiskey set features a first-of-its-kind Celtic Egg and an Altruist timepiece—both from Fabergé—and a bottle of ultrarare, 30-year-old, triple-distilled Irish whiskey from the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Offered in seven limited-edition versions, each will also include a humidor with two Cohiba Siglo VI Grand Reserva cigars, a gold-plated cigar cutter, a gold-plated water pipette, pure obsidian whiskey stones (for drink cooling), a hip flask, and a carafe filled with Irish spring water from the same region where the whiskey was made. All product and accoutrements are housed in a gilded dark walnut box.
“This is a thrilling partnership for Fabergé,” Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, global sales and business development director at Fabergé, said in a statement. “Rare whiskey has seen tremendous investor attention, and the whiskey market is undergoing a dynamic evolution. It is very exciting for Fabergé to participate in such a cross-pollination of luxury sectors, thereby adding a contemporary twist on age-old traditions.”
A keen appreciation of Fabergé’s centuries-old craftsmanship is likely a requirement for those who wish to indulge in such a unique—and exquisite—acquisition. Handcrafted by fourth-generation Fabergé enamel specialist Dr. Marcus Mohr, the seven eggs are made with 18k yellow gold and display the house’s famous guilloche enamel in a shimmering pastel green. Each egg is detailed with a pavé diamond Celtic knot, a revered Irish symbol of eternity, love, and friendship, which frames one of seven different colored gemstones: emerald, ruby, blue sapphire, amethyst, rhodolite, spessartite, or tourmaline. Each gem is intended to represent one of the Seven Wonders of Ireland; a matching cabochon colored gemstone also adorns the top of the egg.
Meanwhile, the one-of-a-kind Fabergé Altruist timepiece has a unique dial, also inspired by the landscape of one of the Seven Wonders of Ireland, with a mother-of-pearl face etched and hand-painted with 24k gold flakes.
And if you’re in it for the booze? Emerald Isle is supposedly the rarest Irish whiskey in existence, because, according to the press release announcing the Fabergé x The Craft Irish Whiskey Company collaboration, it’s the oldest triple-distilled Irish whiskey in the world. The 30-year-old single malt Irish whiskey has been aged in 200-liter American oak casks (which previously stored bourbon), and then finished in a rare single 40-liter Pedro Ximénez sherry barrel. The resulting flavor profile ranges from chocolate fudge and maple syrup on the nose, to sweet leather and silky-smooth ripe banana on the palate, and flows into a long finish with hints of creamy meringue and rich vanilla cigar smoke.
These tasting notes many be particularly meaningful to a whiskey geek, but to a jewelry lover? Anything decanted in a bottle inspired by key Fabergé design elements, and set with emeralds on the neck and base, is bound to be uniquely delicious.
Top: An artistic achievement, from the initial sketch to the Celtic Egg presented on a gold guilloche base to the box itself: Inspired by the shape of an emerald, representing the natural beauty of Ireland, the Emerald Isle Collection depicts the wonders of the country and its geographical coordinates, with an egg-shape opening and a frame of colored gemstones. (All photos courtesy of Fabergé)
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