In the second edition of its “Between You and I” whisky series – created in conversation with leading talents from the worlds of food, art and fashion – Orkney distillery Highland Park has partnered with New York-based artist Laila Gohar to create a 17-year-old single malt. Featuring an elegant spiciness and enigmatic smoke, the whisky uses flavour to offer a window into Gohar’s playful, surreal and endlessly imaginative world.

This travel-exclusive edition, Between You and I: Journeys, is inspired by New York, Gohar’s home city and crafted with new Spanish oak casks for pronounced notes of warming spice and subtle smoke. The limited-edition whisky comes in colourful packaging co-created with Gohar that, through a series of imagined destinations, emotions, and sensory associations, showcases her own imaginative response to the whisky and its complex layers of flavour. Created exclusively for Global Travel Retail, Between You and I: Journeys sits alongside a globally available Between You and I release developed in collaboration with Laila Gohar, available online and in stores worldwide.

Between You and I: Journeys is all about creating a conversation in flavour, bringing together the expertise of Highland Park’s Master Whisky Maker Marc Watson with the visionary imagination of Gohar – one of the most exciting talents in contemporary design and lifestyle.

DUTY ZERO BY CDF WORLD-FIRST LAUNCH

Between You and I: Journeys by Laila Gohar will launch exclusively at Duty Zero by cdf in Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) from 24 September to 29 October, marking its global debut before rolling out to travel retail destinations worldwide. The launch will be brought to life through striking brand visibility across key promotional locations, featuring high-impact digital screens positioned along the traveller journey supported by tasting experiences that encourage travellers to explore Between You and I: Journeys alongside a curated selection of Highland Park whiskies.

To boost the launch, Duty Zero by cdf will provide digital visibility across its online and social media channels, complemented by targeted exposure on the HKIA eShop, building awareness and engagement ahead of travel. On selected dates in November, Highland Park Senior Brand Ambassador Martin Markvardsen will further elevate the experience through exclusive tasting sessions and bottle-signing appearances, creating memorable moments for travellers and collectors alike.

Kasper Andersen, Regional Managing Director Global Travel Retail & Western Europe at Edrington, commented: “Following the highly positive response to the first Between You and I: Journeys edition, in partnership with Björn Frantzén, we are delighted to unveil the next chapter in a range that introduces a new approach to whisky tasting. Duty Zero by cdf has an exceptionally strong whisky offer at Hong Kong International Airport, making them an ideal launch partner for this exciting new single malt that invites exploration and personal adventure.”

Enzo Li, Deputy General Manager at Duty Zero by cdf, said: “Our single malt selection at Hong Kong International Airport remains one of the finest and most extensive in the world, and we are proud to offer consumers world-exclusive access to channel-first bottlings. Building on Highland Park’s strong momentum in travel retail, we are pleased to strengthen our collaboration with the brand for the launch of Between You and I Journeys by Laila Gohar.”

CRAFTED TO INSPIRE

To create Between You and I: Journeys by Laila Gohar, Highland Park Master Whisky Maker took inspiration from Gohar’s universe and home city of New York, utilising an adventurous core of new Spanish oak casks to seek out notes that would prompt powerful memories and associations when she tasted it.

The resulting 17 Year Old Single Malt offers an invigorating interpretation of Highland Park’s signature style, balancing rich notes of cinnamon, warming spice, subtle smoke, and decadent vanilla sweetness from ex-bourbon casks along with deep chocolate notes drawn from sherry-seasoned oak.

A FEAST FOR THE IMAGINATION

Laila Gohar was the first person to taste this whisky, which unlocked a series of vivid cinematic scenes in her imagination. For her, the warming spice transported her to the energy and intensity of a Moroccan night market. Notes of sweetness and smoke conjured a frozen plateau beneath a star-filled sky. Elsewhere, gentle peat smoke carried her into hidden Tokyo backstreets glowing softly after dark. These imaginative worlds became the foundation for the visual identity of this release which arrives in surreal packaging, co-created with Gohar, that combines hand-drawn illustrations by Silja Goetz and layered visual references inspired by her imaginary narratives.

Inside each pack, a booklet replaces conventional tasting notes with evocative vignettes, written by Gohar, which invite drinkers to experience the whisky not just with the taste buds but with the imagination.

PRICE AND AVALABILITY

Between You and I: Journeys by Laila Gohar has a recommended price of $165 USD and will be available exclusively at Duty Zero by cdf locations from 24th September to 29th October 2026 before launching in travel retail worldwide on 1st November.