Whisky Encourages Creativity, as Perceived by The Dalmore's Luminary Collection
Ain't whisky crafting some sort of magic, man? Time's the main ingredient, with at least three years in oak cakes being a legal requirement for Scotch whisky. Some of the best stuff is aged for far longer. The secret sauce, though, isn't just the high-tech gear or time-honored techniques. It's the unique perspectives of master craftsmen.
Ya see, take The Dalmore, a Scottish whisky powerhouse, run by Richard Paterson OBE and Gregg Glass, two experts in their field. This brand, with roots tracing back to 1839, is renowned for its multi-cask maturation process and innovative collaborations, like their Luminary Series.
Originally conceived in the throes of the 2020 pandemic, the Luminary Series brings together artists, architects, designers, and whisky makers. The goal? Create something extraordinary that pushes boundaries. It ain't just about showy decanters or objets d'art; it's also about crafting a limited-edition whisky.
But what on earth do architects and whisky makers have in common, you ask? Apart from the fact that both are ancient crafts, they require equal parts skill and creativity. Let me tell ya about a few of these collaborations.
First off, there was Kengo Kuma and his protégé, Maurizio Mucciola. They worked on the V&A Dundee, Scotland's design hub. They discovered that old oak casks, once used for port and sherry, find new life as vessels for maturing whisky. An architect committed to sustainability, Mucciola saw the potential and crafted a kintsugi-inspired sculpture with 48 pieces of wood, the same age as the rare whisky they were releasing.
Next up was Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects. Inspired by the unseen magic of aging whisky, she created a rich-hued glass sculpture that seemingly swirls in perpetual motion, a visual representation of the maturing process.
Last but not least was Ben Dobbin of Foster + Partners. He drew inspiration from the Scottish landscapes, notable steel bridges, and his personal connection with music. The result? A bronze sculpture reminiscent of a harp, unveiled alongside The Dalmore Luminary 2025 Edition - The Rare.
This ain't just art for art's sake. The Luminary Series is a long-term partnership with the V&A Dundee, with The Dalmore donating over £200,000 to date. Proceeds from an upcoming auction with Sotheby's will go directly to the museum. The latest Luminary Series, No. 3, is currently being auctioned off at Sotheby's Hong Kong. Created in collaboration with Ben Dobbin, this limited-edition whisky used seven casks during its creation and will be presented in a bespoke case. Only 20,000 bottles will be produced.
So, it seems there's more in common between whisky crafting and architectural design than you might think. And that's something worth raising a glass to.
Website: The Dalmore
Editorial Standards: Forbes
Accolades: Forbes
The Dalmore, with its Luminary Series, combines the luxury of food-and-drink with the innovation of technology and lifestyle, as evidenced by their collaborations with architects and designers such as Foster + Partners, Kengo Kuma, and Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects. These unique partnerships are not just about creating showy decanters or objets d'art; they are also about crafting limited-edition whiskies, like The Dalmore Luminary No.3 – 2025 Edition, which is currently being auctioned off at Sotheby's.
In addition to the artistic collaborations, The Dalmore has also cultivated a social responsibility initiative, partnering with the V&A Dundee and donating over £200,000 to the museum, with proceeds from upcoming auctions at Sotheby's going directly to the museum. This fusion of art, craftsmanship, and philanthropy is truly worth raising a glass to.
