The Dalmore has agreed to a four-year partnership with Scottish design museum V&A Dundee as part of its long-term investment in the creative sector. The program will support creative collaborations and will also include a film that reflects both the Highland distillery and the museum’s advocacy for design, design education, and its value to Scotland, all in an effort to celebrate exceptional Scottish design and creativity.
The initiative will kick off with a donation from proceeds raised from the exclusive silent auction of a rare, singular 60-year-old single malt whisky in Harrods. The Dalmore 60 Year Old 180th Anniversary bottling is the ultimate reunion of twin sherry casks – the last casks of the great Mackenzie era – which in 1951 were laid down side by side in the Scottish Highlands.
Richard Paterson, Master Distiller of The Dalmore, is “delighted that the special moment of releasing The Dalmore 60 Year Old – a reunion of two spirits that is truly greater than the sum of its parts and made possible only through the masterful talents of our distillers past and present – is also paying homage to the prestigious and much-loved V&A Dundee. Just as I am personally driven to support the future of the whisky industry and to leave a legacy of which we can all be proud, our union with this iconic design institution is very much future-facing. This partnership is a celebration of our shared relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to artistry, in both creating and sharing the exceptional. There will be much to follow over the coming months and years.”
“This donation is just the beginning of a four-year collaboration about which we’re hugely excited as it will touch so many people. V&A Dundee does incredible work in design education and showcasing past and future design talent – from Charles Rennie Mackintosh to the most exciting contemporary designers,” said Claire Blackadder, Head of Brand, The Dalmore.
Both The Dalmore distillery and V&A Dundee reside on the coastline of north-eastern Scotland, where the museum sits at the heart of the city and wider region.
Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “This partnership between The Dalmore and V&A Dundee is a brilliant example of how two organisations can come together to celebrate Scotland’s heritage, commitment to craftsmanship, and its incredible design potential both at home and around the world. The four-year partnership will support V&A Dundee as it extends its reach across Dundee and Scotland and champions design from Scotland around the world. We are delighted to be working with The Dalmore, and it’s because of the innovative and generous support of many trusts, companies and private donors that V&A Dundee is able to engage audiences in the wonders of design.”
V&A Dundee is the first Victoria and Albert museum outside of London, and it has built a global reputation for showcasing world-class exhibitions and inspiring design creativity since its opening in September 2018. The museum was designed by architect Kengo Kuma and takes inspiration from the sea cliffs and natural materials found in northeastern Scotland, just as The Dalmore Distillery’s coastal home in the Scottish Highlands is a unique reflection of its environment.
The museum is at the core of Dundee’s ambitious £1bn waterfront regeneration, driving job creation and wider economic benefits. It has helped transform the region as a tourism destination, as well as connecting communities and schools across Scotland with creative design.
The Dalmore 60 Year Old will be available via silent bid exclusively from Harrods, 1-14th December, 2020. Enquiries should be directed to – TheDalmore@Harrods.com.
Last month, The Dalmore 35 Year Old was named the best spirit in the world at the 2020 International Spirits Challenge. The $5000+ single malt Scotch Whisky won the award for Supreme Champion Spirit, the top prize awarded by the competition.
Back in August, the distillery unveiled their Rare & Aged collection. Made up of a trio of limited edition Scotch Whiskies aged 35, 40, and 45 years, the entire assembly costs a staggering, but somehow elegant $30,000.
