For Charles Leclerc, precision isn’t just a requirement — it’s a way of life. Whether he’s maneuvering a Formula 1 car at 200 miles per hour or exploring his passions off the track, the Scuderia Ferrari driver has built a reputation for pushing boundaries while staying true to his roots. It’s that very balance that makes him the perfect face for Chivas Regal’s boldest innovation yet: Crystalgold.
Crystal-clear yet rich in flavor, Crystalgold is more than just another whisky — it’s a reinvention of tradition. Crafted through a pioneering filtration process that removes color but retains depth, it’s a spirit designed to challenge expectations while preserving heritage. For Leclerc, that philosophy mirrors his own.
Innovation Meets Tradition
“It’s amazing and it should be that way, but it’s a very difficult balance to find,” Leclerc exclusively tells GRAZIA USA in a sit-down interview. “It’s just staying true to your roots and how much you want to change the ways you’re driving and the way you are perceived by just being a better version of yourself. With the new Chivas Regal Crystalgold, it’s very impressive to see how much of the heritage there is in the product, but how much innovation there is as well. As you said, how much it enhances the tradition that there is from the brand. It’s a very strong message, and it’s really nice to see.”
“With the new Chivas Regal Crystalgold, it’s very impressive to see how much of the heritage there is in the product, but how much innovation there is as well.” — Charles Leclerc
The Chivas Regal Crystalgold Spritz
That delicate blend of old and new is at the heart of their collaboration. To celebrate the launch, Leclerc co-created the Chivas Regal Crystalgold Spritz, a sparkling cocktail of Crystalgold, elderflower, lime, mint, and champagne. His vision was straightforward: it had to taste incredible.
“What was important to me is a very simple answer: It just had to be good. That’s the only thing that mattered to me,” he tells us with a smile. “I kind of discovered new flavors. I didn’t know I was a fan of elderflower, but I am because it’s obviously part of my cocktail. I was just searching for it to be good. That was the most important thing for me.”
This curiosity carries over into how he enjoys drinks himself. “I like to experiment. I’m a very curious person in general. Quite creative as well, but curious. So I like to experiment and try new flavors.”
“I like to experiment. I’m a very curious person in general. Quite creative as well, but curious.” — Charles Leclerc
Rituals That Ground Him
Beyond the glass, Crystalgold resonates with Leclerc because it reflects a lifestyle of balance — something he values deeply. Between intense race weekends and global commitments, the small rituals he carves out are what keep him grounded.
“I think playing the piano, playing chess, staying with my close ones, that is a big part of my downtime,” he shares. “These are all moments where I can disconnect and be my true self with the people I love around me. Those are simple moments that I really enjoy. I think with time, we appreciate them more and more.”
A Natural Partnership
The collaboration itself came together naturally. “It came quite randomly, if I’m honest, through a friend of mine that was in contact with Chivas and told me that the brand was interested in order to speak with me,” he recalls. “And obviously, the values of Chivas really resonated with me — the pursuit of excellence and how to be ahead of your game. These are really things that are important for me. And as an athlete, I’ve always got to think ahead of time in order to try and beat my opponent. And it’s a very similar mentality for Chivas in order for them to stay ahead of their game. How can they innovate? So I think the shared values made it a natural fit.”
If pressed to distill that connection into one philosophy, Leclerc puts it simply: “Staying true to your roots, but still pushing through for being a better version of yourself and innovating.”
“Staying true to your roots, but still pushing through for being a better version of yourself and innovating.” — Charles Leclerc
A Bold New Chapter in Whisky
That sentiment captures not only his career but also the essence of Crystalgold itself. Exceptionally smooth, versatile enough to enjoy neat or in cocktails, and strikingly clear in appearance, it represents the future of whisky without abandoning the legacy that made Chivas an icon.
“I’m super excited for this new launch to happen. It’s obviously a very important milestone,” Leclerc shares. “I’ve loved the process of thinking also about the campaign and what was the point of similarity between me and Chivas, and there are plenty. I’m just really enjoying this partnership and looking forward for the world to discover this new product.”
With Charles Leclerc at its helm, Chivas Regal Crystalgold isn’t just rewriting the rules of whisky — it’s proving that innovation and tradition can not only coexist but elevate one another.
