Iconic Scottish whisky brand Ballantine’s has collaborated with Leif Podhajsky for their inaugural Artist Series.

You might not have heard of Leif Podhajsky, but you’ve definitely seen his work. Anyone who loved Foals a few years ago (and let’s face it, who didn’t?) will be familiar with Podhajsky’s art direction from Holy Fires, whilst nu-psychedelic act Tame Impala have also made extensive use of Podhajksy’s talents to create album covers befitting of their spacious and unique sound. An impressive resume – did we mention he also produced work for Bonobo? – making him the perfect guy to launch the Ballantine’s Artist Series.

The whisky maker, which is one of the most prestigious in the world, collaborated with Podhajsky to create three limited edition gift packs; these include a vivid sleeve design inspired by the fire and water so essential to the whisky making process, as well as a tin featuring an abstract interpretation of Scotland’s sweeping highlands. Before beginning work on the project Podhajsky spent time in Ballantine’s homeland, exploring both the landscape and the distilling process so as to gain inspiration for the series. Podhajsky said of his creative method: “Immersing myself in this way is exactly how I work when I’m designing album cover artwork too; after a while something just clicks and the designs start to form organically”.

The Series was launched with an event at the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch last month in collaboration with Cover Club, where Podhajsky spoke to culture commentator and journalist Paul Gorman about his love of album artwork and his fondness for covers “from the ’60s and ’70s, when the record sleeve was the main design. You’d open it up and get to explore how the artwork suited the songs on the album”.

The Ballantine’s Artist Series Gift Packs will be available from the end of October and registration is open now.