It has been more than a century since Chivas Regal first set the benchmark for luxury blended Scotch, but now Chivas Regal is rewriting its own playbook. The result is Chivas Regal Crystalgold — a crystal-clear spirit that challenges every expectation of what a Chivas Regal spirit should be.

From its spiritual home at Strathisla Distillery, where Chivas Regal has spent more than a century perfecting the art of blending, Crystalgold arrives as both a revelation and rebellion. For a brand that has long been synonymous with rich amber hues and oak-matured warmth, Crystalgold is a nod to the past and a bold gesture towards the future.

The latest expression of a luxury spirit is crafted from a bespoke blend and refined through a pioneering filtration process. At a glance, it bridges the worlds of clear spirit mixability with the craftsmanship of oak-aged ones. Versatility is one of the key words that shape the narrative of Crystalgold: bright enough for sundowners, refined enough for late evenings, and distinct enough to challenge conventions. In this regard, it stands out in recognition when placed alongside the usual clear suspects of gin, tequila, and vodka. 

“We’ve always believed that innovation should enhance tradition, not erase it and Chivas Regal Crystalgold is the epitome of that. It pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in blending,” said Sandy Hyslop, Master Blender, Chivas Regal.

“Through years of experimentation, we have perfected a filtration process that removes colour while retaining flavour for a truly unique drinking experience. Our goal with Chivas Regal Crystalgold wasn’t just to innovate, it was to preserve everything people love about an oak-aged spirit, while presenting it in a way you’ve never seen from us before. The clarity is striking, but the flavour is unmistakably ours.”

At the heart of this launch is Chivas Regal’s Global Brand Ambassador, Charles Leclerc, whose pursuit of excellence mirrors the philosophy behind Crystalgold. Whether on the track or at a chessboard, Leclerc’s precision and foresight reflect the same meticulous thinking that defines Chivas’s innovation in blending.

“Since partnering with Chivas Regal, I’ve been inspired by its unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and ability to balance heritage with innovation,” said Leclerc. “That philosophy deeply resonates with me — it mirrors the way I approach both my career and off-track passions, like chess, where strategy and precision are everything. Chivas Regal Crystalgold is the embodiment of that spirit. It’s about pushing boundaries while staying true to your roots.”

Chivas Regal is an icon of blended Scotch whisky. What are the values that make an icon?
I believe the two most important values that make an icon are timelessness, which allows it to transcend its time, and authenticity, which enables it to remain true to itself throughout time. 

Chivas Regal is known for pushing boundaries while honouring its heritage. How does this approach relate to your career growth?
They’re as important. As a person, I always strive to stay true to my core values, but it’s equally important to continually innovate the way I work and to try to be a better version of myself every day. These are very much a part of me, but there are still core values that will stay with me for the rest of my life, while I strive to improve myself every single day as a person and as an athlete. These two can very much live together and need to live together.

The new Chivas Regal Crystalgold represents the pursuit of excellence. What does excellence mean to you off the track?
Well, first of all, I think, it’s the work behind the scenes that people don’t necessarily see. I visited Chivas Regal at the beginning of the year, and it was mind-blowing to see the effort that went into creating such an innovative product as Crystalgold. I would say that the effort, together with the passion behind the innovation, is what makes excellence. You’re happy to go the extra mile when you’re passionate, and together with effort, it makes the dream work.

What does going the extra mile mean to you, because everyone sees you on TV or on social media, but they don’t see the hours of hard work and training behind the scenes?
It’s exactly what you said — to keep working as hard, if not harder, when people don’t necessarily appreciate or will ever get to see what I do in the background to be sharp for the track and be ready for every single challenge I face. You can never truly be prepared for everything, but you can at least be as ready as you can, and it’s my job to do that behind the scenes. I believe that to achieve something, whether in racing or in any part of life, you’ve got to work hard, and this work is done behind the scenes when nobody is there to push or motivate you.

When you think of raising a glass, who or what are you toasting to these days?
Well, I’ll definitely toast to my family, my close friends — the people that are the closest to me and the people that have always been there and supported me unconditionally in every moment of my life. 

How important is it to appreciate and celebrate the little moments in your life and be grateful for what you have and what you’re doing?
It’s incredibly important. This is a key value in my life — to be grateful for what I have and to celebrate the small moments with the people I love. I think that we don’t appreciate these moments with our family enough. I remind myself that I’m fortunate to have a healthy and beautiful family, and that being able to live simple moments with them is still something I need to be grateful for.

To mark the occasion, Leclerc co-created the Crystalgold Spritz. In a stemmed glass, mix 30ml Chivas Regal Crystalgold, 30ml Elderflower Cordial, 20ml Lime Juice and 60ml Sparkling Wine or Champagne before garnishing with a sprig of mint. The result is a refreshing blend of citrus, elderflower, and mint topped with champagne — a modern twist on a timeless ritual.

Charles Leclerc’s responses were edited for clarity and brevity. Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our latest issue.