Scottish whisky house The Dalmore has unveiled the latest chapter in its prestigious Luminary series with a 2025 edition that celebrates the fusion of two exceptional art forms: contemporary architecture and the craftsmanship of Scottish whisky.
Designed in collaboration with Ben Dobbin, architect at Foster + Partners (who notably designed Apple Park in California), the creation follows in the footsteps of previous editions by Kengo Kuma and Melodie Leung.
The collection is available in two editions.
The Luminary No. 3 – The Rare: a unique sculptural work containing an exceptional whisky, housed in a spectacular decanter suspended in a bronze structure designed by Ben Dobbin. Only three pieces exist: one will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong for the benefit of the V&A Dundee museum, the second will be exhibited at The Dalmore distillery, and the third will be reserved for a future exclusive sale in a box set bringing together the three Luminary editions.
Luminary No. 3 – The Collectible: a limited edition of the same 17-year-old whisky, presented in an elegant box inspired by the original sculpture. The allocated bottles will be available at selected retail outlets worldwide, including select partner wine merchants in Belgium and Luxembourg.
The result of a collaboration between Ben Dobbin, Gregg Glass (Master Whisky Maker), and Richard Paterson OBE, a true whisky legend, The Dalmore Luminary No. 3 embodies a shared vision: that of a masterpiece crafted by the hand of man, patiently refined, like an architectural project.
The whisky, aged for 17 years, has undergone a maturation process as demanding as it is creative. For the first time in the house’s history, Calvados casks (1981 and 1999 vintages) have been added to the range of traditional 30-year-old Sherry casks (Matusalem and Apostoles), Bordeaux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and ex-Bourbon American oak.
This meticulous work results in a Single Malt of remarkable aromatic complexity: on the nose, notes of fresh orchard, Madagascar vanilla, and rose.
On the palate, a rich texture is carried by aromas of tarte tatin, red apple, red licorice, dark cocoa, sweet spices and a subtle hint of Seville orange and green tea. The finish is silky and persistent, with notes of warm brioche, dried apricots, juicy blackberries and cinnamon bark. The bottle, presented in a box inspired by the lines of Dobbin’s sculpture, extends this duality between technical precision and artistic expression, dear to the two worlds united here.
A company spokesman said, “With this third and final edition, The Luminary Series establishes itself as an iconic collection, bringing together the talents of the greatest names in contemporary architecture and whisky masters. This unique collaboration perfectly illustrates The Dalmore’s philosophy is to create timeless masterpieces, at the intersection of taste, art and material.”
