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October, 2022, SINGAPORE – The Orientalist Spirits, the world’s first ultra-premium pan-Asian craft spirits company, announced the launch of its genesis NFT collection, The Founders Collective, supported by a special 12-year-old blended whisky crafted specifically for the project. It is the company’s first foray into the world of Web3 as it looks to bring its handcrafted spirits to global audiences after a successful global launch in London at the prestigious Silverleaf bar earlier this month. The official date of the private and public sales is scheduled for early October.
What makes The Founders Collective different from other NFT-based whisky projects is the focus on the birth and maturation of this limited-edition cask. The company will collaborate closely with NFT holders as it looks to build the next award-winning whisky. This includes monthly inspections, audits, tasting sessions, and painstaking attention to detail. The underlying value of the aged whisky not only supports the underlying value of the NFT but protects the secondary-market value and allows the brand to provide exceptional value, insight and appreciation for its members.
A unique blend of top 12-year-old whiskies from Japan, Taiwan, and India, this precious nectar was first aged in bourbon barrels, then finished in Oloroso casks, giving it a warm amber colour with a rich and luscious flavour. Dried dates, fresh red fruits, and a touch of dark chocolate give it a sensual and indulgent feel, while the nose offers notes of vanilla, raisin, apricot, sherry, and hints of spice and smoke.
Buyers of The Founders Collective NFT will not only receive a limited, special commemorative-edition bottle of the company’s platinum-award-winning 8-year-old Dragon whisky with customised label and numbering but will also get a unique brand experience at their monthly private Tasting Room sessions in London and Singapore, as well as access to exclusive events, and partner venues globally.
Some of the other notable perks from owning a Founders Collective Pass includes:
- Access to a secret cocktail menu at partner outlets
- Preferential access to the entire spirits range at The Orientalist Spirits
- Guaranteed access to The Orientalist DAO
- Exclusive invites to new product launches
“We have always been a forward-thinking company,” said Michel Lu, founder of The Orientalist Spirits. “The opportunity to democratise ownership of ultra-premium spirits and build a community of people that share our passion was one we couldn’t pass up. Whisky ownership has typically been a playground for the rich and famous. Our Founders Collective Pass NFT flips that paradigm on its head, giving everyone access to a market that has achieved an average return of 12% per annum over the last 10 years.”
The idea behind The Orientalist Spirits came to Michel, who was inspired while on a private getaway at Hidden Valley in the mythical and magical Shangri-La, which sits 3,300m above sea-level on the Tibetan plateau. Today, the brand’s multi-award-winning core range features the world’s first triple-blended vodka, a craft gin distilled with 23 Asian botanicals including Taiwanese gunpowder tea, the first all-Asian blended dark sipping rum, and the highly sought after 8-year-old blended whisky. These heady, intoxicating blends of perfectly balanced spirits guide you along the exotic and opulent Silk Road.
For many companies, Web3 has very quickly become an important strategy for global reach by creating new methods of engagement with fans and consumers alike. This community-centric approach allows brands to reach their consumers where they are with a tailored value proposition, then get immediate feedback that leads to continuous product improvement and better overall engagement.
The Orientalist Spirits is working with two Singapore-based partners to make the launch a reality. Enjinstarter, a Web3 ecosystem builder and incubator, is bringing its Web3 expertise to the table, while luxury-asset-backed NFT marketplace, XVA Collective, is providing asset tokenisation and marketplace services.
“The Orientalist Spirits is blazing a trail for established brands by leveraging Web3 components such as NFTs to increase engagement with their communities,” said Prakash Somosundram, CEO and co-founder of Enjinstarter. “Having witnessed the passion that Michel has devoted to creating some of Asia’s finest spirits, we firmly believe in their mission to democratise access to spirits as an investment and, ultimately, scale up their plan to bring ultra-premium Asian craft spirits to the world.”
“We are excited to announce our partnership with Michel and The Orientalist Spirits. As the foremost Luxury-Asset-Backed NFT Marketplace developer, we believe this new release of NFTs, marrying fine whisky and private access, will be the next wave of Web3 real-world digital assets, appealing to aficionados of the luxury lifestyle,” said Phillip Lim, CEO and co- founder of XVA Collective.
To make the sale process as convenient as possible, anyone with a credit card or crypto wallet may purchase the NFT. Once payment has been made, buyers will be able to claim their NFT on The Orientalist Spirits website. The private sale, which will require whitelisting, will be open to those with a shared passion for being part of the journey to take The Orientalist Spirits to the world, while the public sale will be open to all.
Please visit https://theorientalist.xyz/ for more information about The Founders Collective Pass.
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