BARDSTOWN, Ky. — October 26, 2026 — Black Velvet Canadian Whisky today announces the launch of the Velvet Collection, a new premium collection of aged Canadian whiskies, alongside a new campaign featuring supermodel and cultural icon Christie Brinkley.
Brinkley first appeared in Black Velvet advertising in 1978, helping bring some of the brand’s most memorable ads to life. Forty-eight years later, she returns not as a new celebrity spokesperson, but as an authentic part of Black Velvet’s history, connecting the brand’s past with an exciting new chapter for its future.
The new campaign pairs fresh photography from a recent shoot with Brinkley and elements from her original Black Velvet advertising. The result is not a recreation of 1978, but a contemporary expression of the qualities that have defined Black Velvet for generations: smoothness, confidence and approachability.
“For 75 years, Black Velvet has held a distinctive place in whisky culture, built on the smoothness, confidence and approachability that have defined the brand for generations,” said Aaron Wilke, AVP at Black Velvet Whisky. “Christie is genuinely part of that story. Her return gives us an incredibly authentic way to honor our history while introducing the Velvet Collection and showing consumers where Black Velvet is headed next.”
“Black Velvet has such a special place in my history, so returning nearly five decades after my first campaign with the brand felt incredibly meaningful,” said Christie Brinkley. “I love that this moment celebrates the legacy Black Velvet has built over 75 years while looking ahead with something fresh, confident and exciting through the Velvet Collection.”
For longtime fans, Brinkley’s return offers an immediate and meaningful sense of recognition. For those discovering the original campaign imagery for the first time, it provides a natural connection to the enduring character of Black Velvet and to why she remains such a fitting part of the brand today.
The announcement comes as Black Velvet introduces the Velvet Collection, a new four expression lineup that elevates the portfolio through extended aging, distinctive flavor profiles and the smooth character for which the brand is known.
The collection includes:
- Black Velvet Velvet Collection 12-Year-Old Signature — 80 proof (40% ABV) — A 12-year-old blended Canadian whisky with aromas of caramel, honey, rye spice, light stone fruit, apple, pear and nutty, malty notes. The palate features light vanilla, rye grain, pepper, corn and baking spice, with a smooth, clean and dry finish.
- Black Velvet Velvet Collection 12-Year-Old Tawny Port Finish — 80 proof (40% ABV) — A 12-year-old blended Canadian whisky finished in tawny port casks. Aromas of toffee, mocha, tropical fruit, nuttiness, allspice and clove lead to a lightly sweet, peppery and lightly drying finish.
- Black Velvet Velvet Collection 15-Year-Old Select Rye Recipe — 80 proof (40% ABV) — A 15-year-old blended Canadian whisky made with a select rye recipe. Intense rye spice, brown sugar, stone fruit, lavender and herbal notes give way to rye grain, caramel, baking spice, pepper, honey and cedarwood, finishing crisp, warming and gently drying.
- Black Velvet Velvet Collection 20-Year-Old Legacy — 90 proof (45% ABV) — A 20-year-old blended Canadian whisky with notes of honey, raisin, light stone fruit, nuttiness and florals. The creamy palate offers light rye grain, baking spice, flaxseed and vanilla, with a soft, lightly spicy finish.
Each expression in the Velvet Collection will be available in 700 mL bottles nationwide beginning this November. Suggested retail pricing will range from $19.99 to $49.99, depending on the expression.
The Velvet Collection and Christie Brinkley campaign together mark a new era for Black Velvet, one that respects a 75-year legacy while inviting consumers to experience the brand in a fresh, elevated way. For more information, visit www.blackvelvetwhisky.com</a>.</p>"