From September 10th to October 10th, Le 300 at The Maybourne Riviera Hotel on the Côte d’Azur will host The Glenrothes’ PHILOS residency, an unprecedented whisky installation that fuses Scottish craftsmanship with Mediterranean refinement. At the heart of this limited-time experience is The Glenrothes 25-Year-Old, held in a crystal decanter suspended within a four-axis gimbal—a feat of engineering designed to keep the liquid perfectly stable, even in motion.
This extraordinary sculpture, inclined at precisely 23.5°, reveals its secrets through a 1891 brass compass: rotate, and hidden mechanisms release exactly 50ml of whisky in a wholly mechanical performance. The result is not just service, but a choreography of precision that elevates tasting to a new form of sensory theatre.
PHILOS: Redefining Whisky Service
PHILOS addresses an unexpected challenge: how to serve the world’s most precious whiskies in motion, particularly aboard yachts where the ocean’s swell could compromise the experience. Inspired by the ancient gimbal invented by Philo of Byzantium, the installation ensures that every pour honors the integrity of the spirit, delivering The Glenrothes’ rarest expressions with flawless consistency.
The concept emerged from a visionary collaboration between Anna Lisa Stone, Artistic Director of The Glenrothes, and Olga Fox of Studio Indigo in 2023. Together, they brought their ambition to life: a vessel where collectors and connoisseurs can savor exceptional whisky with serenity and precision. Complementing their vision are the craftsmanship experts at Little Halstock, whose contemporary design expertise ensures that the PHILOS decanter is as aesthetically compelling as it is mechanically precise.
A Vessel for Legendary Whisky
PHILOS was originally conceived to safeguard the mythical Demijohn 1969, described by Master Whisky Maker Laura Rampling as one of the rarest treasures in existence. This “unicorn whisky” inspired a design that marries art, innovation, and meticulous engineering—a perfect reflection of The Glenrothes’ commitment to avant-garde whisky experiences.
Within the hushed elegance of Le 300, PHILOS transforms the act of tasting into a sensory opera. Here, technical mastery meets Mediterranean living: the gentle sway of the gimbal, the rich amber liquid, and the tranquil surroundings coalesce into a ritual that feels both intimate and monumental.
PHILOS at the Monaco Yacht Show
PHILOS will be on display during the Monaco Yacht Show, aligning the worlds of luxury yachting and single malt whisky. As part of the PHILOS Residences programme, this ephemeral installation underscores The Glenrothes’ ambition to reimagine whisky tasting for an elite audience, creating a narrative of craftsmanship, legacy, and sensory wonder.
To mark the residency, Le 300 will feature a limited-edition cocktail for one night only on September 25th, drawing from the summer 2025 menu that reinterprets classic cocktails with Mediterranean herbs, spices, and coastal produce. The event is a celebration of region, seasonality, and artistry—an extension of The Glenrothes’ philosophy that whisky, like life, is best enjoyed in extraordinary moments.
For more information, head over to the bar‘s official website.
