Whisky Focus - The Dalmore Luminary No2 'The Rare' & 'The Collectible'

The Dalmore Luminary Series, which has been created in collaboration with V&A Dundee has unveiled its latest creations: an extraordinary glass amber sculpture and an exquisite presentation case containing two exceptionally rare Highland Single Malt whiskies. The Dalmore Luminary - The Rare - 2024 Edition will be available for auction, with all proceeds benefiting Scotland’s design museum. Meanwhile, The Dalmore Luminary - The Collectible - 2024 Edition will hit specialist whisky retailers worldwide on April 2nd, 2024.

This three-part series honours the relentless pursuit of perfection through dynamic partnerships between luminaries in whisky craftsmanship and architectural design. The Dalmore Luminary - The Rare - 2024 Edition showcases a collaboration between Melodie Leung, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, Gregg Glass, Master Whisky Maker at The Dalmore, and Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE, who collectively designed both the whisky and its sculptural casing.

Leung and The Dalmore's whisky artisans have closely collaborated to explore the intersection of their intricate skills and expertise. The outcome of this partnership is two stunning looking new releases that ingeniously blend the distinctive styles of Zaha Hadid Architects and The Dalmore, promising a captivating experience for whisky aficionados and design enthusiasts alike as they delve into the interplay of flavour and form.

The Dalmore Luminary 49 Year Old - The Rare - 2024 Edition

• Only three decanters and two sculptures of The Rare will ever be created, featuring a 49 Year Old Single Malt from The Dalmore presented in a striking glass amber sculpture crafted by Leung and her team at Zaha Hadid Architects.
   
• This exceptional 49 Year Old Highland Single Malt undergoes an extraordinary maturation and blending process, which they tell me has resulted in an array of intense vanilla, dark berry fruit, and cacao aromas. Its palate reveals flavours of freshly roasted chestnuts, blackcurrant, Doyenne pears, and gentle patisserie spices, leading to a subtle, sweet smoke finish.
   
• The whisky was matured in American White Oak ex-Bourbon casks and finished in a unique combination of Port Colheita 1963, Apostoles sherry, select Bourbon, and a distinctive 1951/Virgin Oak hybrid cask.

The Dalmore Luminary 16 Year Old - The Collectible - 2024 Edition

• Whisky connoisseurs will also be treated to a unique offering from The Dalmore with The Collectible, featuring a small batch of exceptionally rare peated Dalmore spirit.
   
• This distinctive expression is said to introduce a hint of herbal wood smoke atop notes of Manuka honey, crème brûlée, antique leather, and delicate tropical hints. Its rich palate showcases ripe figs, oranges, forest fruits, and brioche.
   
• The 16 Year Old whisky was matured in Bourbon casks and finished in a blend of Graham’s Tawny Port pipes and Apostoles sherry casks, with a small portion aged in peated, hand-selected, ex-refill Bourbon casks.
   
• Encased in a presentation case echoing the radiant, swirling design of The Rare sculpture, this edition will be available from April 2nd, 2024, with 20,000 sets offered at a recommended retail price of £275. It will be found at selected luxury and specialist retailers globally, including global travel retail locations.

The meticulously designed components of The Dalmore Luminary – 2024 Edition were conceived through a fully collaborative effort. Glass, Paterson, and Leung worked in perfect synergy to breathe life into these whiskies.

Glass says: "This was a true meeting of minds, and the new releases beautifully express the shared journey we’ve all been on.

"While crafting our two new whiskies, we used the technique of time – nurtured carefully to transform through blending – to elevate The Dalmore to a new level. Flavour, colour and form meet together in a holistic sensory experience with swirls of texture, depth, complexity and nuance. We are delighted to finally be sharing these special whiskies with the world."

Leung adds: "Experiencing The Dalmore’s outstanding craftsmanship first-hand and being initiated into the complex world of whisky making by Gregg and Richard provided extremely fertile ground for design inspiration. The sculpture we created for The Rare was inspired by our fascinating discussions around the interaction and flow of flavour notes in the whisky-making process. It mirrors the multiple layers of ageing and blending that went into creating this whisky, which is the exquisite product of nature channelled over time."

The Rare and The Collectible are certainly prized acquisitions for any discerning whisky collector, embodying the joint dedication of The Dalmore, V&A Dundee, and Leung to promote exceptional design and innovation worldwide. Proceeds from the Sotheby's sale of The Rare will be contributed to V&A Dundee to support its vital mission of inspiring and empowering through design.

The Dalmore, in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects and V&A Dundee, have united their efforts, with the architectural firm featured in an exciting upcoming exhibition at V&A Dundee, opening on Friday, March 29th.

The Dalmore Luminary 'The Rare' 49 Year Old Highland Single Malt, housed in a dramatic glass sculpture by Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects, will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in May 2024 with all proceeds donated to V&A Dundee. You will find The Dalmore Luminary 16 Year Old 'The Collectible' 2024 Edition available from April 2nd from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops

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