ETERNAL BY DESIGN

WORK

Our design for The Glenlivet Eternal Collection was recently recognised with a prestigious ISC Award, marking the culmination of nearly a decade of collaboration with one of Scotland’s most iconic single malt whiskies. 

This project was never just about simply creating a beautiful bottle. It was about translating over a decade of brand equity into the ultra-prestige tier with precision, technical mastery, and strategic intent.

At JDO, structure is at the heart of what we do. We were founded by industrial designers, so we know that in luxury, structure does more than shape a product. It elevates the experience, signals quality, and creates belief in a brand’s promise.

The brief for the Eternal Collection asked us to redefine ultra-prestige whisky for a modern audience. That meant working closely with the client, their procurement team, and suppliers to ensure every element could be manufactured to the highest standard while staying feasible and cost-effective. Paul Drake, Executive Creative Director at JDO, explains: “It’s not just about designing something beautiful. It’s about bringing strategy and creativity to every step of the journey from concept to execution. Every decision has consequences for cost, manufacturability, and quality. That’s where our expertise comes in.”

Getting it right required multiple rounds of refinement and testing. From electro-forming the sterling silver piece around the decanter’s neck to resin casting and solving how the light would refract through the spherical bottle, every detail mattered. Doing this work well means it feels effortless, but behind the scenes it was anything but simple.


Throughout, we remained deeply involved, reviewing, revising, and advising to ensure production met the highest standards. Phil Marlow, 3D & Technical Director, says: “Our value lies in balancing client expectation, commercial realities, and manufacturing feasibility. That work continues long after design sign-off. It’s about getting the project over the line exactly as it should be.”


Strategically, our relationship with The Glenlivet runs deep. During the brand’s restage, we defined the smooth-flowing curve that now threads through every extension of the portfolio. It’s a subtle but powerful expression of the brand’s proposition of Original by Tradition. The Eternal Collection elevates that language to its pinnacle with a spherical decanter defies convention, encourages a two-handed pour, and turns every tasting into a deliberate, reverent moment.

Paul Drake adds: “Our clients wanted something profound, with distinction and gravitas. A bottle that elevates the experience and lingers long after the whisky is gone. Here, we’ve used the equities we established to build that lasting distinction, creating a sculptural, contemplative experience that challenges convention and rewards the careful eye.”

- Paul Drake, Executive Creative Director at JDO


Pernod Ricard then worked with Chic to bring on computation architect Michael Hansmeyer to create a Jesmonite and rose-gold-plated sculpture to house the decanter. 


By honouring The Glenlivet’s 200-year legacy while pointing boldly to its future, the Eternal Collection proves that true prestige is not about embellishment. It lies in structure, craft, and design – eternal qualities that endure long after the last drop.

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