Pan-Asian craft spirits company The Orientalist Spirits has announced the launch of its debut NFT (non-fungible token) collection called The Founders Collective.
The whisky-backed Founders Collective is the company’s first venture into the world of Web3 as it looks to bring its handcrafted spirits to global audiences.
“We have always been a forward-thinking company,” commented Michel Lu, founder of The Orientalist Spirits. “The opportunity to democratise ownership of ultra-premium craft 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 more than 12% per annum during the last 10 years.”
The Founders Collection is fully asset-backed by a special 12-year-old blended whisky crafted specifically for the project, which comprises whiskies from Japan, Taiwan, and India.
The whisky was first aged in Bourbon barrels, before being finished in oloroso Sherry casks.
Tasting notes include dried dates, fresh red fruits, and a touch of dark chocolate, while the nose offers hints of vanilla, raisin, apricot, sherry, and suggestions of spice and smoke.
The Founders Collective is said to differentiate itself from other NFT-based whisky projects by ‘focusing on the birth and maturation’ of its limited edition cask.
The company will collaborate closely with NFT holders as it looks to build the next whisky. This includes monthly inspections, audits, tasting sessions, and attention to detail.
The underlying value of the aged whisky, which will be stored in a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled and full bonded warehouse, supports the underlying value of the NFT while also protecting the secondary-market value, allowing the brand to provide ‘exceptional value, insight and appreciation’ for its members.
Buyers of The Founders Collective NFT will receive a limited commemorative-edition bottle of the company’s 8-year-old Dragon whisky with customised label and numbering, as well as a unique experience at the brand’s monthly private tasting room sessions hosted in London and Singapore. In addition, buyers will get access to exclusive events, and partner venues globally.
The Orientalist Spirits is working with two Singapore-based partners to launch the NFT. 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.”
Phillip Lim, CEO and co- founder of XVA Collective, added: “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.”
The official date of the private and public sales is scheduled for November.
The Orientalist Spirits hosted its global launch at Silverleaf bar in London in September.
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