Aberfeldy Teamed Up With Jeweler Nigel O’Reilly on a Collection of Whisky-Inspired High Jewelry
Need some fine jewels to match your luxe libation? Or perhaps you need a little liquid courage for a holiday splurge?
Irish jeweler Nigel O’Reilly, an artist and goldsmith based in Castlebar and known for sculptural designs and museum-caliber jewels, has partnered with Aberfeldy, a high-end Scottish distillery of single malt scotch whisky. Together, they’ve created seven jewels inspired by Aberfeldy’s spirits, all to honor the distiller’s 125th anniversary. Two of the seven pieces, the Pitilie Burn Cufflinks and the Highland Honeycomb Ring, will come with a bottle of Aberfeldy’s 25-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 125th Anniversary Limited Edition, finished in Oloroso sherry casks.
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O’Reilly says the two companies joined forces due to a shared commitment to nature and craftsmanship. “There is a natural synergy between our work, as both are tied into utilizing natural gold from the earth into our art,” the jeweler told Robb Report. “Each piece within this collection is derived from Aberfeldy’s ties to the Pitilie Burn, a Scottish river in which deposits of alluvial gold are still found, and its crystalline water, which is used to distill Aberfeldy to this day. When I heard that Aberfeldy has long been affectionately termed the ‘Golden Dram,’ I knew this was the right fit.”
Designs such as the Honeycomb Ring and the Pitilie Burn Cufflinks are meant to mimic the rich-tasting notes of Aberfeldy’s elite scotch. “I utilized materials such as gold, citrine, and intricate detailing to evoke the golden liquid and the beautiful place in which it’s produced,” says O’Reilly. “I looked at each piece as a new opportunity to tell the story of Aberfeldy, ranging from the vessels from which Aberfeldy is enjoyed, to the sparkling waters of the Pitilie Burn. Each piece in this collection is a testament to the art of craftsmanship, meticulously fashioned with a blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless traditions.” The settings are incredibly intricate, highlighting his sculptural engineering, often in rounded lattice designs topped off with hefty gems like Madeira citrine or 14.55 mm faceted freshwater pink pearl to a 169.35-carat morganite. O’Reilly says the latter particularly speaks to him as it is set within a Celtic infinity symbol and has a whisky-hued stone, which symbolizes the “deep-rooted connection between Scottish and Irish cultures.”
As a scotch whisky fan himself, O’Reilly says he designed the pieces the way he likes his scotch, neat and on the rocks. “The Pitilie Burn Cufflinks exemplify this connection, evoking the essence of a whisky glass in their design,” says O’Reilly. “They mirror the rich hue of a fine single malt, complete with the inclusion of a Madeira citrine stone and burnt orange diamonds adorning the rim.”
Pieces range in price from $38,750 to $336,000 and can be purchased through Nigel O’Reilly’s website. Clients of the Highland Honeycomb Ring and the Pitilie Burn Cufflinks will also receive a bottle of Aberfeldy’s 25-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 125th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Click here for more photos of Nigel O’Reilly’s Aberfeldy Collection.
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