The Luminary Series: A new Collaboration Between The Dalmore and V&A Dundee 

This new collection of limited edition rare and collectable whiskies brings together two leading Scottish lights from the worlds of whisky and architectural design – themselves luminaries. Released over a three-year period, the series will tell the stories of visionary artisans honing their craft and will celebrate those luminaries who inspire us to realise our full potential.

Luminary No.1

This first 2022 Edition launches the series with single malts conceived with the Museum’s internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma (the only architect named in the prestigious TIME 100 in 2021) and his Protégé Maurizio Mucciola. Kuma’s distinctive design identity is stamped on the new series, taking inspiration from the invisible particles of nature that shape beauty, reflecting this in 48 diamond-shaped pieces housing the rare 48-Year-Old Luminary No.1. They’re working alongside Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE who has over 60 years of experience in the industry, and Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass. All collaborators share a love of natural materials, have a deep respect for the creative process and are committed to exploring potential and achieving excellence over a lifetime. 

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.

Richard Paterson, OBE

Curated In Partnership With Scotland’s Design Museum

Known for its world-class exhibitions, the V&A has unveiled its permanent Scottish Design Galleries with a changing programme of commissions, events and activities, in the bourgeoning art city of Dundee. Kuma and Paterson filmed Decades in the Makin in 2021; a short film presenting the realisation of this world-first partnership.

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. In my work with Richard Paterson and The Dalmore, I see the 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.

Kengo Kuma

The Rare

The Rare is a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between Kengo Kuma and Richard Paterson OBE. It combines culture and craft, marking a milestone in the ongoing creative collaboration between the pair, which first began two years ago at the same time the four-year partnership with V&A Dundee was announced. Just three bottles of The Rare will be conceived, hand nurtured by the Master Distiller,  finished in casks of Scottish Tay Oak and of Japanese Oak air dried at the distillery for years and then housed in a unique sculpture handcrafted in Japanese Oak, Scottish Oak and glinting steel.

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. 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 realised over time.

Maurizio Mucciola

A 48-piece Sculpture Marking 48 Years

The first of these two sculptures is to be sold at Sotheby’s auction house in London with a portion of the proceeds donated to V&A Dundee. The second will be held at the distillery’s Highland home, will the original proof of the sculpture currently on display at V&A Dundee. Inspired by the invisible particles of nature, 48 separate pieces have been brought together to celebrate the age of the liquid. Making use of metal alongside wood, the sculpture makes a nod to ‘Kintsugi’ artistry, an ancient Japanese art where broken pottery is repaired using gold, creating an intricate and meaningful effect. The Scottish and Japanese Oak mingle with light reflected from the shiny metal particles to achieve balance and harmony, drawing parallels to the art of the Master Distillers that create perfectly harmonious whisky flavours.

The Dalmore 48-Year-Old Luminary No. 1 Rare is currently up for auction at Sotheby’s with a guide price of between 95,000 – 180,000 GBP. www.sothebys.com

The Collectible

This is very much a collaboration between Glass and Maurizio – the former bringing a passion for wood and flavour, with the latter bringing a contemporary take on The Rare’s design. The Collectible is a 15-Year-Old Single Malt, which has spent time in Japanese Mizunara and American white oak casks before being finished in hand-selected Italian Amarone Red Wine casks and bespoke ‘Kintsugi’ Casks crafted specifically for this Limited Edition and made from Scottish Tay Oak, sourced from an upcycled tree found on the banks of the River Tay. Mucciola pays skilful homage to his mentor’s design vocabulary, using the same animated geometric particles scattered across the case. The Collectible’s packaging follows the design for the Glorifier, reimagined into a graphic pattern, with gentle earthy hues to echo the strong

Connections Between Nature, The Location, And The Whisky

Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass says, “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.”