How The Glenlivet Assembled Five of Nigeria’s Storied Riding Families With a Symbolic Gesture

The Glenlivet Nigeria and their brand ambassador, Farooq Oreagba, arrived on horseback at the ancestral compounds of five of Ijebuland’s most historic families, each carrying four bottles of single malt whisky as a gift. Four bottles spanning The Glenlivet’s most celebrated range, the 12, 15, 18, and 21-year-old, representing over four decades of pristine craft, and a refusal to be rushed, in line with the values of these families who have lived by excellence for generations. 

The five families visited were the Balogun Kuku, Balogun Alatishe, Balogun Otubu, Aregbe, and Iboriaran Moyegeso families of the Fidipote Ruling House. At every door, the families came out the way they always do: horses present and in full traditional attire.

Each The Glenlivet expression gifted that day tells its own story: From the 12-Year-Old’s floral smoothness and notes of ripe pear to the spice and complexity of the 15-Year-Old French Oak Reserve, to the 18-Year-Old’s rich harmony of oak and dried fruit. The 21-Year-Old, the expression Oreagba himself carries as brand ambassador, is a whisky that simply arrives and commands the room, as with the great Ìjẹ̀bú families. 

The Glenlivet’s “Live Original” positioning is built on exactly that kind of authenticity that’s come to be associated with Oreagba, who has ridden at the Ojude Oba festival for over 16 years, developing close ties with the families even before professional relationships. 

Founded in 1824 by George Smith, The Glenlivet is the original Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Known as the “single malt that started it all,” the brand is built on a legacy of progress, refinement, and the courage to do things differently. George Smith’s trailblazing approach to crafting whisky in the Speyside region established a standard of excellence and a mindset rooted in a simple truth: The Glenlivet is made to follow no one.

Today, The Glenlivet continues to lead the category by encouraging consumers to “Live Original”. This modern philosophy serves as a bold call to choose authenticity over expectation and to embrace the unexpected path. Whether through its signature smooth flavor profile or its pioneering campaigns, The Glenlivet remains a symbol of confidence for those who value originality and the spirit of personal progress.