The Dalmore Unveils Luminary Series No.3 At The Venice Biennale
The Dalmore launched its most ambitious whisky collaboration yet: a 52-year-old Single Malt designed with Foster + Partners’ Ben Dobbin. The post The Dalmore Unveils Luminary Series No.3 At The Venice Biennale appeared first on Haute Living.
Photo Credit: Whyte & Mackay
The Dalmore has unveiled the third—and most architecturally audacious—chapter of its acclaimed Luminary Series: a groundbreaking collaboration with Ben Dobbin of Foster + Partners, revealed just ahead of the 2025 Venice Biennale of Architecture.
This latest chapter continues the Highland distillery’s tradition of bridging whisky artistry and design innovation, offering two new limited-edition single malts: The Dalmore Luminary 2025 Edition – The Rare and The Dalmore Luminary No.3 – 2025 Edition – The Collectible. Both were co-created by Dobbin and The Dalmore’s whisky luminaries, Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.
Curated in partnership with V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum, the Luminary Series is a convergence of disciplines—celebrating shared values of precision, creative flow, and enduring craftsmanship. Past collaborators include Kengo Kuma and Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects; this time, the focus is on Dobbin, whose portfolio includes icons like Apple Park and the revitalization of San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid.
The Rare: Whisky as Sculpture
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The Dalmore Luminary 2025 Edition – The Rare is the oldest expression released in the series to date: a 52-year-old Single Malt housed in an extraordinary bronze sculpture designed by Dobbin. Inspired by tensegrity—the architectural principle of structural balance through tension—the sculpture appears to suspend the decanter in mid-air. Featuring asymmetrical rods, waves, and smooth curves, it reflects Dobbin’s exploration of nature, landscape, and engineering precision.
The whisky inside is equally masterful. Finished in some of the world’s rarest casks—including vintage 1980 Calvados, 1940 Colheita Port, rare Tawny Port, 40-year-old Pedro Ximénez Sherry, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape—it is a liquid symphony of The Dalmore’s signature house style: citrus, chocolate, and warming spice, with extraordinary depth and structure. Only two sculptures exist. One will remain in The Dalmore’s archives; the other is being auctioned via Sotheby’s Hong Kong (May 9–16), with all proceeds benefiting V&A Dundee.
The Collectible: Inspired by the Rare
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The Dalmore Luminary No.3 – 2025 Edition – The Collectible is a 17-year-old Single Malt inspired by The Rare and presented in a bespoke fold-out case that echoes the design of Dobbin’s sculpture. Strictly limited to 20,000 bottles globally, it will be available via luxury and specialist retailers beginning mid-May, priced at $399.
Finished in seven hand-selected casks—including vintage and aged Calvados, rare Matusalem and Apostoles Sherry, and red wine casks from Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape—The Collectible pays tribute to Dobbin’s architectural rhythm while maintaining The Dalmore’s signature profile.
Creative Synergy: Whisky Meets Architecture
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According to Dobbin, the partnership with The Dalmore was rooted in shared values and mutual curiosity: “They think about flavor the way I think about design. Technically, this was far more intricate than I expected—but we spoke a common creative language.”
The Dalmore’s whisky makers took inspiration not just from Dobbin’s aesthetic but also his personal preferences, revisiting experimental Calvados casks laid down prior to official Scotch Whisky Association approval in 2019. The result is a whisky that, like Dobbin’s sculpture, is built on structure, detail, and flow.
The collaboration was also shaped by Dobbin’s visit to the distillery, where the surrounding landscape of bridges and lochs inspired the sculpture’s dynamic lines. “I wanted to bring to life our shared sense of place, materiality, and how our worlds bridge,” he said.
Venice Launch & Sotheby’s Auction
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The Dalmore Luminary Series No.3 debuted on May 7 in Venice on the eve of the Biennale. The event included a live panel discussion featuring Dobbin, as well as former Luminary creators Melodie Leung, and Maurizio Mucciola, moderated by Biennale 2023 curator Professor Lesley Lokko OBE.
Attendees previewed the sculpture and decanter, which were co-curated by V&A Dundee and Foster + Partners and are available to view digitally via The Dalmore website. An exclusive first tasting of The Collectible was also hosted for guests.
From May 9–16, The Rare and its accompanying sculpture will be on display at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, with all auction proceeds again donated to support V&A Dundee’s design education and outreach work. A designer’s proof of the sculpture will join past Luminary editions on display at V&A Dundee beginning May 14, ahead of the museum’s Garden Futures exhibition opening May 17.
As with previous Luminary Series releases, the 2025 edition redefines the boundaries of what a luxury whisky experience can be—one part architectural marvel, one part sensory journey, and entirely one-of-a-kind.
The Dalmore Luminary 2025 Edition – The Rare
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Only two complete sets of The Dalmore Luminary 2025 Edition, will ever be made – a Single Malt Whisky Aged 52 Years from The Dalmore, presented in a beautiful decanter and housed in a dramatic bronze sculpture by Ben Dobbin of Foster + Partners. Matured in American White Oak ex-Bourbon barrels, then finished in a rich and complex cask assemblage of Vintage 1980 Calvados, 1940 Colheita Port, Tawny Port, 40 Years Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape casks.
The whisky has tasting notes that include the following:
- Aroma: Vibrant orchard character leads on to Madagascan vanilla and cinnamon, with delicate rose water top notes
- Tasting notes: Rich butterscotch, red apples, tarte tatin, dark cacao, red liquorice, and soft wood spices, elevated by notes of cardamom, Seville oranges, and green tea
- Finishing notes: Dried apricots, ripe blackberries, fresh baked brioche, and soft lingering cassia bark
Photo Credit: Whyte & Mackay
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