When Jenson Button does something, he does it with precision: on the track, in the garage, and now, in the bottle.
As Formula 1 descends on Miami, fans will get the rare chance to meet the 2009 World Champion as he promotes Coachbuilt Whisky 001, the first release from his motorsport-inspired whisky brand. On Thursday, May 1, Button will make three public appearances across Total Wine stores in the area, offering fans autographs, selfies, and the chance to snag a signed bottle of this bespoke blend.
Meet Jenson Button – Miami Tour Schedule:
- Grove Central Total Wine | 12–1 PM
- North Miami Total Wine | 2–3 PM
- Miami Beach Total Wine | 4–6 PM
From Track to Tumbler: Jenson Button’s Post-F1 Passion Project
After 17 seasons, 15 Grand Prix wins, and one unforgettable title run with Brawn GP in 2009, Jenson Button’s legacy in F1 is sealed. Known for his smooth driving style, mechanical sympathy, and racecraft in changing conditions, Button’s career spanned powerhouse teams like Williams, Renault, BAR, Honda, McLaren, and more.
He outdueled the field in one of the most dramatic seasons in F1 history, winning six of the first seven races for a team that didn’t even exist the year prior. But Button didn’t stop after F1, he added a Super GT title in Japan in 2018, dabbled in endurance racing, and remained a voice in the paddock through punditry and special events.
Now, he’s putting that same level of detail into something new: whisky.
Coachbuilt 001: A Blend with Purpose
Co-founded with whisky expert George Koutsakis, Coachbuilt was born from a shared respect for craftsmanship. Just as coachbuilt cars are tailored by hand and precision, so too is this whisky: a blend of single malts and grains from all five Scotch-producing regions, matured in ex-sherry casks, bottled at 46% ABV, natural color, and non-chill filtered.
“It’s not about slapping a name on a label,” Button says. “It’s about building something, properly.”
Coachbuilt Build No. 001 is bold, refined, and unapologetically character-driven, just like its creator.
Tasting Profile:
We actually bought our own bottle (no this post is NOT sponsored) to support the British smooth operator (not to be confused with Carlos Sainz) and just because we’re big fans of whisky and whiskey.
- Nose: Soft peat smoke opens into dried fruits (apple, nectarine), wrapped in a sweet aroma.
- Palate: Rich mouthfeel with dried fruits yet again, this time raisin, dates, nectarines. Layers of vanilla, and the sweetness of the sherry cask come through, while baking spices sort of like cinnamon but not quite dial up the complexity.
- Finish: Warm, and notably results in a lot of salivation happening. While the taste doesn’t last long, the salivation continues long after the taste has dissipated, making you want to drink more. This would be excellent with a savory meal.
The smoke is subtle, Islay fans will recognize it, but it won’t overpower casual sippers. And industry whispers suggest some surprisingly well-aged grain whisky is in the mix, offering body and polish well above its $55 price point.
Design That Speaks to Petrolheads
The bottle itself is a nod to motorsport:
- Subtle chassis-inspired indentations line the sides
- A spinner wheel nut from vintage racers is embossed on the label
- Even the label font evokes old-school garage stamps
This is whisky for those who know what it means to build something from the ground up, whether it’s a race car or a world-class dram.
Coachbuilt has already earned a silver medal for design at the World Whisky Awards, but what’s inside the bottle is what’s driving its growing fanbase.
Final Verdict: More Than Just Celebrity Whisky
F1 fans are a discerning bunch. They don’t care for gimmicks, and Coachbuilt isn’t one. This is a thoughtful, drinkable bottle that holds its own on the shelf and in the glass. For Miami fans, it’s also a once-in-a-season chance to connect with a legend whose career helped define an era.
Whisky. Wheel nuts. World Champion.
Jenson Button’s Coachbuilt 001 isn’t just a blend—it’s a statement. Slainte!