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17 March 2023A drop of design
In a world-first collaboration a unique series of limited edition rare and collectible whiskies have been created by luminaries from the worlds of whisky and design
T he globally acclaimed architect of V&A Dundee, Kengo Kuma, and his protégé, Maurizio Mucciola, have joined forces with The Dalmore to launch the Luminary series – a collection of rare, limited-edition single malts presented by exceptional talent from the worlds of whisky and architectural design.
Curated with V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum, the three-year series will tell the stories of visionary artisans honing their craft and celebrate luminaries who inspire us to realise our full potential.
Starting in 2022, the series will see the release of three editions, each containing two Luminary whiskies: Rare and Collectible. Each release in the Series brings visionary design talent to the fore through a bespoke showcase of a unique bottling by The Dalmore’s whisky makers.
A collection of rare, limited-edition single malts presented by exceptional talent from the worlds of whisky and architectural design
The Luminary Series – Luminary No.1, 2022 Edition
The inaugural chapter of the Luminary Series – Luminary No.1, 2022 Edition – showcases the combined skills of two masters and their protégés. Kuma, the lead architect of V&A Dundee, teamed up with The Dalmore's Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE to create the three-of-a-kind Rare.
Meanwhle Mucciola, Kuma's protégé at V&A Dundee, worked in collaboration with Paterson's apprentice – Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass – to offer Collectible.
The 2022 Edition is an homage to the cultural heritage of these luminaries: shared sanctity for natural materials, deep respect for the creative process and a commitment to pursuing potential and excellence over a lifetime.
The three-year series will tell the stories of visionary artisans honing their craft and celebrate luminaries who inspire us to realise our full potential
Luminary No.1 – Rare – 2022 Edition
Co-conceived by Kuma and Paterson, the Rare is a once-in-a-lifetime creative collaboration that unites culture and artistry. This seminal and rare 48-year-old Single Malt marks a milestone in an ongoing creative collaboration between two masters of their craft, which began in 2020 with the announcement of a four-year partnership between The Dalmore and V&A Dundee.
The Rare, of which only three bottles will be created, is housed in a unique sculpture designed by Kuma, comprising 48 hand-crafted diamonds of Japanese oak, Scottish oak and glinting steel to represent the 48 years this particular whisky has been aged. The use of natural materials, especially wood, is Kuma’s signature; this is reflected in his design of V&A Dundee’s interior.
At The Dalmore, the location’s fundamental elements of soil and timber play an intrinsic role in the whisky-making process and in giving its distinctive flavour. Kuma establishes a poetic connection between design and whisky-making, highlighting mutually utilised materials, taking inspiration from the power and natural surroundings of each destination and honouring the friendship with V&A Dundee that brought together the project.
The 48-piece sculpture, inspired by the invisible particles of nature as well as the age of the liquid, highlights the architect’s signature gentle integration and intimate understanding of natural materials and negative space. It makes use of metal alongside wood in a nod to ‘Kintsugi’ artistry, an ancient Japanese art where broken pottery is repaired with gold, to incredible results.
At The Dalmore, the location’s fundamental elements of soil and timber play an intrinsic role in the whisky-making process and in giving its distinctive flavour
The wider sculpture holds an immensely scarce and valuable whisky within that has been hand-nurtured by Master Distiller Paterson for nearly half a century and finished in casks of Scottish Tay oak and of Japanese oak air-dried at the distillery for years.
The first of the two sculptures created to display the Rare will be sold at Sotheby’s London later this month 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 is on public display at V&A Dundee.
Kuma reflected on the project: ‘My relationship with The Dalmore, and Scotland, is one born from a love of natural materials and the unfolding of stories over a lifetime. In my work with Richard and The Dalmore I see in him 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,' he continued, 'echoes this sensibility. It invites all who see it to consider the elements, seen and unseen, that have gone into its conception.’
Paterson himself said of the release: ‘It is a pleasure and a privilege to collaborate with Kengo 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.’
The work of two industry icons, the Rare truly embodies the pursuit of excellence over a lifetime.
‘My relationship with The Dalmore, and Scotland, is one born from a love of natural materials and the unfolding of stories over a lifetime.' – Kengo Kuma
The Luminary No.1 – Collectible – 2022 Edition
In a collaboration between the protégés, the Collectible echoes its Rare partner in design. Gregg Glass has created an innovative 15-year-old Single Malt spotlighting his passion for wood and flavour, encapsulated in this Collectible edition being held in a contemporary case designed by Kuma’s protégé Maurizio Mucciola.
The Collectible begins its journey in American white oak and finishes in hand-selected Italian Amarone red wine casks and bespoke ‘Kintsugi’ casks. These casks were 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 – Japanese Mizunara oak and American white oak, as a nod to the heritage of each Luminary.
Mucciola pays homage to his mentor’s vocabulary, using the same geometric particles scattered across the case. His design celebrates the importance of channelling potential with material components.
The Collectible begins its journey in American white oak and finishes in hand-selected Italian Amarone red wine casks and bespoke ‘Kintsugi’ casks
‘Working with and learning from Gregg,’ said Mucciola, ‘and 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; it’s the embodiment of potential realised over a time.’
In turn, Master Whisky Maker Glass commented: ‘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 and myself and shows what is so special about true craftsmanship.’
For the packaging of the Collectible, the design for the glorifier was reimagined and transformed into a graphic pattern and applied to the packaging. Soft earth tones were chosen to echo the strong connections between nature, the location, and the whisky.
'This release is inspired by the work we have undertaken with our mentors, and the work we have yet to do; it’s the embodiment of potential realised over a time.’ – Maurizio Mucciola
The Dalmore and V&A Dundee Partnership
The relationship between The Dalmore and V&A Dundee is embedded in a relentless pursuit of excellence as champions of Scottish culture and in exporting shared purpose, talent and stories. The four-year collaboration allows V&A Dundee and The Dalmore to curate and advocate for contemporary artisans and designers and to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers to pursue their potential.
In 2021, The Dalmore donated £100,000 from the record sale of the one-of-one, exceedingly rare Decades No.6 Collection at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in honour of the partnership.
One of the three exquisite bottles and the accompanying sculpture of the Luminary No.1 Rare will be available to acquire at auction in November this year, with a portion of the proceeds donated to V&A Dundee. Approximately 15,000 bottles of the Collectible will be made available at an RSP of £250 GBP, for purchase from the finest luxury retailers worldwide including Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.
The relationship between The Dalmore and V&A Dundee is embedded in a relentless pursuit of excellence as champions of Scottish culture
TASTING NOTES
Luminary No.1, 2022 – Rare, aged 48 years
An immensely rare and valuable whisky hand nurtured by Master Distiller Richard Paterson for 48 years. Luminary No.1 Rare is a unique assemblage of rare and aged Dalmore whisky with influences from Oloroso and Apostoles sherry, vintage port and American white oak. The assemblage has been finished in Scottish Tay oak and Japanese oak casks, air-dried at the distillery for years.
The Aroma: A multitude of exotic nuances come together in true harmony, black Morello cherries, roasted coffee beans, Ogen melon drenched in port wine and honeysuckle.
The Palate: An energetic vibrancy of Black Forest fruit, maple syrup, crushed Pontefract cakes and thick chocolate cake.
Finishing Notes: Demerara sugar, Seville orange marmalade and apricots.
40.8% ABV
Non-Chill Filtered
Natural Colour
Luminary No.1, 2022 – Collectible, aged 15 years
Matured in American white oak. Finished in hand selected Italian Amarone red wine casks and bespoke virgin ‘Kintsugi’ casks crafted from Scottish Tay, Japanese and American white oak. This exceptional whisky balances the natural beauty of locally supplied heritage barleys with experimental maturation techniques; its appearance draws inspiration from the creators’ finest works to date, resulting in a beautifully balanced and inspiring single malt with multiple layers of flavour.
The Aroma: Warm and welcoming rich fruits, panna cotta, honey roasted almonds and citrus oils.
The Palate: Multi layers of rich and uplifting citrus, chocolate, cherries, figs, brioche and moist ginger cake.
Finishing Notes: Waves of dried fruits and honey entwine with balanced wood spice and cacao.
46.8% ABV
Non-Chill Filtered
Natural Colour