Orientalist Spirits launches NFT community

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 whiskey-backed Founders Collective is the company’s first foray into the Web3 world as it looks to bring its handcrafted spirit to a global audience.

“We have always been a forward-thinking company,” commented Michel Lu, founder of The Orientalist Spirits. “The opportunity to democratize ownership of ultra-premium craft spirits and build a community of people who 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 turns that paradigm on its head, giving everyone access to a market that has achieved an average return of more than 12% per year over the past 10 years.”

The Founders Collection is fully supported by a special 12-year-old blended whiskey created especially for the project, which includes whiskeys from Japan, Taiwan and India.

The whiskey was first aged in Bourbon casks, before being finished in oloroso sherry casks.

Tasting notes include dried dates, fresh red fruit and a touch of dark chocolate, while the nose offers hints of vanilla, raisin, apricot, sherry and flavors of spice and smoke.

The Founders Collective is said to set itself apart from other NFT-based whiskey projects by “focusing on the birth and maturation” of the limited edition cask.

The company will work closely with NFT holders as it looks to build the next whiskey. This includes monthly inspections, audits, tasting sessions and attention to detail.

The underlying value of the stored whisky, which will be stored in a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled and fully bonded warehouse, supports the underlying value of NFT while 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 commemorative limited edition bottle of the company’s 8-year-old Dragon whiskey with a custom label and numbering, as well as a unique experience at the brand’s monthly private tasting rooms held in London and Singapore. In addition, buyers will gain access to exclusive events and partner locations globally.

The Orientalist Spirits is working with two Singapore-based partners to launch NFT. Enjinstarter, a Web3 ecosystem builder and incubator, brings its Web3 expertise to the table, while the luxury NFT marketplace, XVA Collective, provides asset tokenization and marketplace services.

“The Orientalist Spirits is blazing a trail for established brands by leveraging Web3 components like 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 best spirits, we firmly believe in their mission to democratize 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 delighted to announce our partnership with Michel and The Orientalist Spirits. As the premier developer of the NFT Marketplace backed by luxury assets, we believe this new release of NFTs, combining fine whiskey and private access, will be the next wave of Web3 real digital assets, appealing to lovers of the luxury lifestyle.”

The official date for the private and public sale is scheduled for November.

The Orientalist Spirits hosted its global launch at Silverleaf bar in London in September.