Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Formula 1 once again transformed the city into a playground of speed, luxury and spectacle. From the palm tree-lined streets surrounding the Miami International Autodrome to the endless stream of celebrity appearances, yacht parties and brand activations, the race weekend has quickly cemented itself as one of the most culturally charged stops on the F1 calendar.
Sitting at the centre of that intersection between sport and lifestyle this year was Chivas Regal, who unveiled Chivas Regal 16 Limited-Edition alongside Ferrari driver and Global Brand Ambassador Charles Leclerc. The launch marked another step in Chivas Regal’s growing investment in sport and culture. Alongside its partnership with the Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 team, the whisky brand has also expanded into football as the official whisky partner of Arsenal FC, further positioning itself within spaces where legacy, performance and global fandom collide.
Complex UK was invited out to Miami to experience the launch firsthand, which unfolded across a weekend of yacht-side cocktail sessions, exclusive access to Ferrari’s paddock and pit garage, plus an intimate sit-down conversation with Leclerc and Chivas Regal’s master blender, Sandy Hyslop. At the centre of the collaboration is Chivas Regal 16 Limited-Edition: the first 16-year-old expression in the brand’s history and Leclerc’s debut signature blend. Built around the number 16—which has followed the Ferrari driver throughout his career—the whisky brings together 16 different whiskies, each aged for at least 16 years. But beyond the branding, the collaboration reflects a more hands-on creative process between Leclerc and Hyslop.
Speaking at the launch event, Leclerc explained how involved he became in shaping the final blend, travelling back and forth to Scotland between races to better understand the craft behind whisky-making. Working closely with Hyslop, the pair experimented with different flavour profiles before settling on a blend inspired by Leclerc’s personal preferences, particularly the richness of sherry cask matured Longmorn single malt.
“16 has always been more than a number to me: it’s something I’ve carried my whole career,” Leclerc shared during the conversation. “Going to Scotland, seeing the distilleries, understanding the obsession behind every cask inspired me to create my own blend.” That sense of detail and precision mirrors the mindset required in Formula 1 itself. Throughout the evening, both Leclerc and Hyslop spoke about the similarities between whisky blending and racing: the pursuit of marginal gains, instinct, patience and constantly pushing standards higher. “Charles didn’t just put his name to this,” Hyslop explained. “He was in the room, making decisions, pushing back.”
The launch itself took place at Miami hotspot Mary Lou’s, whose extravagant interiors felt almost like an extension of the Chivas Regal universe. Dimly-lit corners, deep-red hues and velvet textures created an atmosphere that blurred the lines between luxury lounge and cinematic set design, making the venue feel as though it had been built specifically for the collaboration.
Outside of the launch party, the weekend itinerary leaned fully into the Formula 1 experience. One afternoon saw guests take part in a cocktail-making session aboard a yacht overlooking Miami’s waters, while another offered rare behind-the-scenes access to the Ferrari pit box and garage ahead of the Grand Prix weekend. There, we caught up with legendary Ferrari test driver Raffaele de Simone, who offered insight into the precision and preparation that happens long before the lights go out on race day. Everything down to the temperature of the racing tyres was well-thought-out. Standing just metres away from both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari cars inside the garage brought the scale of the operation into perspective.
Later, we watched practice sessions and qualifying race unfold, courtesy of Ferrari hospitality in the F1 paddock. Much like fashion weeks or music festivals, Grand Prix weekends have become global cultural moments in their own right, attracting brands, artists, athletes and audiences from every corner of entertainment. It was a reminder of how Formula 1 today exists far beyond motorsport alone.
That crossover between luxury, sport and culture is exactly where Chivas Regal 16 x Charles Leclerc positions itself. Rather than simply attaching a famous face to a bottle, the collaboration is built around values both Chivas Regal and Charles Leclerc share, including craftsmanship, ambition and a constant drive to improve.
