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Crystal clear: Beluga Epicure Series II
Beluga Epicure Series II is the epitome of luxury. But it also stands for more than that; this is a symbol of true collaboration between two luxury houses, and one that looks destined to change the future of high-end vodka.
Artistry and excellence – both of these qualities have been poured into a prestigious limited edition vodka from Noblewood: Beluga Epicure Series II. The exclusive expression comprises 888 handmade pieces, created in a collaboration between the renowned vodka brand and Lalique.
Inspired by the Greek philosopher Epicurus, water also played a monumental role in forming this special bottling. It’s an important element for both Beluga and Lalique, as Andreas Ioannides, global business development managing director at Noblewood Group, explains.
“With our production in Montenegro, we are able to use some of the best water you can get in the world,” Ioannides says. “We’re talking about 40% spirit and 60% water. It’s not only important for bottling, but it’s also very important for the raw materials. You can only make a high-quality spirit with top-quality water. And water is also important to Lalique; it cannot make their quality decanters, and crystal decanters and bottles without water. It is a crucial element for both of our brands.”
In keeping with Lalique’s creative distinction, and in a nod to the significance of water for both brands, the crystal decanter for Epicure Series II has been designed to resemble a water droplet. Two Bacchantes figures adorn the vessel, a reinterpretation of glassmaker René Lalique’s iconic Bacchantes motif – the dancing priestesses of Bacchus.
Their inclusion extends the glassmaker’s recurring depictions of the female shape through his Art Nouveau-informed pieces. The final homage to water can be found in the stopper, which boasts a vibrant blue hue. What’s also remarkable about the decanter is it is crafted in Alsace using Lalique’s hot-glassblowing technique. Ten specialised workshops are needed to achieve the final form.
“With the Epicure II decanter, we explore the art of living, a way of making a moment eternal through simple, beautiful moments and objects that give shape to life,” says Marc Larminaux, Lalique’s artistic and creative director. “Beluga and Lalique are offering collectors around the world a chance to acquire precious and miraculous object d’art embedded with a unique heritage and craftsmanship.”
For Katerina Mechetina, board member at Noblewood Group, Epicure Series II offers “timeless luxury appeal. For Beluga, creating unmatched products in its category is vital. It showcases the brand’s distinctive character and a timeless luxury appeal,” she says.
“Each decanter is hand-engraved with a unique serial number, making it a remarkable collector’s item worthy of the finest Beluga vodka. The partnership between Beluga and Lalique highlights our commitment to driving innovation and excellence in the luxury market.”
Respect for tradition
Beluga has enormous respect for tradition. The brand holds its field-to-table philosophy in high regards, and a significant part of the vodka’s story takes place along the Adriatic Riviera. Only the highest-quality grain is used in the vodka’s production, which is sourced in the Baltics and is transformed into the acclaimed vodka in Montenegro.
What sets the Beluga Epicure Series II vodka apart from other variants in Beluga’s portfolio is the final step in production. After distillation, the vodka is allowed to rest for 100 days to achieve unparalleled quality.
From December, this highly anticipated bottling will finally make its way into the world, priced at €15,000 (US$15,700) per decanter. “This is a unique collaboration between two houses that share the same philosophy, the same passion for perfection,” Ioannides adds. “This is a product that will be enjoyed by collectors, that will be in some of the best five-star hotels in the world, and really appeal to high-net-worth individuals.
“We are passionate about building brands. For me, what is exciting is this packaging is unique. Every new extension of Lalique surpasses the previous one. We are excited about finally allowing people outside of these two great luxury houses to see, feel, touch and taste a truly extraordinary product.”
Ioannides has noticed revitalised demand for luxury vodka, something he says has historically been served by whisky and Cognac. “In the past 10 years, that value has been exploited and basically jumped through the roof,” he says.
“We’ve seen limited-editions being sold for thousands or a million pounds per bottle. When it comes to vodka, what differentiates Beluga is that we find very natural-fitting partnerships. This is a natural marriage between Beluga and Lalique. In vodka, dare I say it, we are pioneers. We are taking the luxury quality and packaging to the next level.”
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