The Dalmore, a revered Highland single malt producer with a rich heritage dating back to 1839, unveils the next chapter in its visionary Luminary Series — a collaboration curated in partnership with V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum. This series celebrates the intersection of whisky mastery and architectural design, resulting in exquisite expressions for both the palate and the eye.
Founded on the banks of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore has been crafting masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years. The iconic 12-point silver stag adorning each bottle is a testament to this legacy. Bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland, the stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878.
A shared vision brings two new limited-edition whiskies to ‘The Dalmore Luminary Series’
V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum, serves as a perfect partner for this endeavor. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the museum embodies creativity and innovation, showcasing world-class exhibitions alongside permanent Scottish Design Galleries.
From their respective homes in Scotland, both V&A Dundee and The Dalmore are integral community and cultural hubs. Today, they unite to celebrate a relentless pursuit of excellence, exporting shared purpose, talent, and stories while advocating for exceptional design and craftsmanship.
A Sculptural Collaboration
Melodie Leung, Associate Director at the internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects, brings her architectural expertise to the project. Having worked alongside the late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid for 16 years, Leung leads a team of over 500 designers and architects. Her experience aligns perfectly with The Dalmore’s commitment to pushing boundaries. As Leung herself states, “working with Zaha…it was much more about challenging the process…challenging each other, and our preconceptions in our design ideas.”
This spirit of innovation is evident in the stunning presentation of The Dalmore Luminary Series 2024 Edition.
The Rare Luminary 2024 Edition
Just three decanters and two sculptures will ever be made of The Rare, which features The Dalmore 49 Year Old Single Malt housed in a dynamic, amber sculpture designed by Leung and her team at Zaha Hadid Architects
With an extraordinary maturation and blending process, the 49 Year Old Highland Single Malt offers layers of intense vanilla, dark berry fruit and cacao aromas, with a palate of fresh roasted chestnuts, blackcurrant, Doyenne pears and soft patisserie spices leading to a subtle, sweet smoke finish
The whisky was matured in American White Oak ex-Bourbon casks and finished in a blend of Port Colhieta 1963, Apostoles sherry, select Bourbon and unique hybrid casks
One covetable set is expected to fetch upwards of six figures when offered at auction through Sotheby’s in May 2024, with all proceeds donated to V&A Dundee
The Collectible Luminary №2 2024 Edition
Whisky enthusiasts can also discover a one-of-a-kind expression from The Dalmore through The Collectible which features a small amount of exceptionally rare peated Dalmore spirit
This introduces a whisper of herbal wood smoke over a nose of Manuka honey, crème brulée, antique leather and delicate tropical notes complemented by a rich palate of ripe figs, oranges, forest fruits and brioche.
The 16-Year-Old was matured in Bourbon casks and finished in a blend of Graham’s Tawny Port pipes and Apostoles sherry casks, with a small portion in peated, hand-selected, ex-refill Bourbon casks
The bottle is housed in a presentation case that echoes the glowing, swirling design of The Rare sculpture
From April 2024, 20,000 sets will be available for £275 at select luxury and specialist retailers worldwide as well as global travel retail
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