Dalmore is known for releasing some seriously high-priced whisky–see the 33 Year Old Single Cask ($8,800) or the Decades Collection (which auctioned for $1.1 million). But even by the Highland distillery’s lofty standards the Dalmore Luminary Series is something special.
The Dalmore Luminary Series is a collection of rare, limited-edition single malts curated in partnership with V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum. Starting in 2022, the series will see the release of three editions, each containing two Luminary Scotch whiskies: The Rare and The Collectible. Each release in the Luminary Series aims to “bring visionary design talent to the fore” through a bespoke showcase of a unique bottling by The Dalmore’s whisky makers.
One of the three bottles and an accompanying sculpture of the Luminary No.1 Rare will be available via a Sotheby’s auction in November, with a portion of the proceeds donated to V&A Dundee. Around 15,000 bottles of the Collectible Edition will be made available for £250, for purchase from luxury retailers worldwide.
The inaugural chapter of the Luminary Series – Luminary No.1, 2022 Edition – showcases the combined skills of two masters and their protégés: internationally acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma and Maurizio Mucciola, the lead architects of V&A Dundee, in collaboration with Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE, and Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.
Co-conceived by Kengo Kuma and Richard Paterson OBE, The Dalmore Luminary No.1 Rare is a “once-in-a-lifetime creative collaboration that unites culture and craft.” A rare 48 Year Old single malt, it reflects the creative collaboration between Kuma and Paterson, which began in 2020 alongside the announcement of a four-year partnership with V&A Dundee.
The Rare, of which only three bottles will be created, is housed in a one-off sculpture designed by Kengo Kuma, comprising 48 particles and handcrafted in Japanese Oak, Scottish Oak, and steel. It holds a rare whisky nurtured by Paterson for 48 years and is finished in casks of Scottish Tay Oak and of Japanese Oak air dried at the distillery for years.
The first of two sculptures created to display The Rare edition will be sold at Sotheby’s London with a portion of the proceeds donated to V&A Dundee, while the second will be held at the distillery’s Highland home. The original designer’s proof of the sculpture will be on public display at V&A Dundee from the end of October.
“My relationship with The Dalmore, and with Scotland, is one born from a love of natural materials and the unfolding of stories over a lifetime, said Kuma. “In my work with Richard Paterson and The Dalmore, I see a same respect for the environment, and the same careful attention to the way great design must continue to evolve over time. The glorifier design echoes this sensibility, inviting all who see it to consider the elements, seen and unseen, that have gone into its conception.”
Paterson added: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to collaborate with Kengo Kuma once again, and to draw inspiration from his rich experience in bringing this new release to life. The Rare is a wonderful celebration of cultural heritage. I am exceedingly proud of this exceptionally scarce single malt which tells a beautiful story of the coming together of disparate parts into a greater whole.”
In a collaboration between their protégés, the Dalmore Luminary No.1 Collectible carries design echoes of its Rare partner. Gregg Glass created a 15 Year Old single malt with the Collectible Edition held in a contemporary case designed by Maurizio Mucciola.
The Collectible begins its journey in American white oak and finishes it in Italian Amarone Red Wine casks and bespoke ‘Kintsugi’ Casks, which were crafted for this limited edition and made from Scottish Tay Oak, sourced from an upcycled tree found on the banks of the River Tay, Japanese Mizunara Oak, and American White Oak – as a nod to the heritage of each luminary.
Leaning on design cues from his mentor, Mucciola uses the same animated geometric particles scattered across the case.
“Working with and learning from Gregg Glass, sharing our passion for materials and respect for the natural world, shines a light on the importance of craft,” said Mucciola. “This release is inspired by the work we have undertaken with our mentors, and the work we have yet to do – the embodiment of potential realized over a time.”
Glass added: “The Dalmore is constantly innovating, working to unlock the hidden potential in every component of its whisky-making process in order to achieve excellence. The opportunity to create something entirely new has resulted in a masterful liquid that balances tradition with innovation. It beautifully expresses the personal and professional journeys of Maurizio Mucciola and myself, and shows what is so special about true craftsmanship.”
The design of The Dalmore Luminary Series No.1 brings together the skills of design and whisky-making..
The importance placed on the extensive use of natural materials, especially wood, is Kuma’s signature and is reflected in his design of V&A Dundee’s interior. This mirrors the fundamental elements of soil and timber used in the whisky-making process, said a statement from The Dalmore.
The 48-piece sculpture complements the whisky, with use made of metal alongside wood in a nod to ‘Kintsugi’ artistry, an ancient Japanese art where broken pottery is repaired with gold.
The sculpture of the Rare is made of 48 hand crafted diamonds of Scottish Oak, Japanese Oak and polished metal to represent the 48 years of the whisky of Luminary No.1 Rare. The sculpture’s use of wood and light frame the Rare decanter at its center.
For the packaging of the Collectible, the design for the Glorifier was transformed into a graphic pattern and applied to the packaging. Soft earth tones were chosen to echo the connections between nature, the location and the whisky.
Per Luxurious Magazine, the estimated selling range of the sculpture is £95,000 ($106,678)-£180,000 ($202,127).
For more information, head over to The Dalmore’s official website or to Sotheby’s official website.
