sevendayweekender – The Dalmore distillery has unveiled the third edition in its prestigious Luminary Series, marking a historic innovation in Scotch whisky. This release introduces Calvados cask finishing—a first for The Dalmore and for legally produced Scotch in general since regulations changed in 2019. The 2025 Edition of the Luminary Series brings together innovation. Rarity, and collaboration between whisky makers and renowned architect Ben Dobbin. The collection includes two expressions: an ultra-rare 52-year-old single malt and a more accessible 17-year-old bottling.
The Rare: A 52-Year-Old Tribute to Craft, Design, and Legacy
The Dalmore presents “The Rare,” a 52-year-old single malt and one of the most exclusive whiskies the distillery has ever released. The team produced only two bottles. They will keep one in The Dalmore archives and unveil the other at the Venice Biennale of Architecture before auctioning it at Sotheby’s. The auction will raise funds for V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum. The team finished the whisky in vintage 1980 Calvados casks, introducing a distinctive new flavor dimension. They also aged it in rare barrels that previously held 1940 Colheita Port, aged Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Tawny Port, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine.
The decanter is housed in a one-of-a-kind sculpture designed by Ben Dobbin. His architectural creation exemplifies “tensegrity,” using bronze rods and a wooden pedestal to suspend the decanter mid-air. The structure is both artistic and engineering marvel, reflecting the delicate balance of pressure and support. The sculpture is a physical representation of the equilibrium found in the whisky’s layered flavors.
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A Fusion of Disciplines: Whisky Meets Architecture
Architect Ben Dobbin played an integral role in shaping not just the bottle’s presentation but the whisky itself. As a partner at Foster + Partners and contributor to Apple Park’s design, Dobbin approached this collaboration with deep creative insight. He immersed himself in the distillery’s Highland setting, drawing inspiration from Scotland’s landscapes and landmarks like the Forth Rail Bridge. This perspective offered whisky makers Richard Paterson and Gregg Glass a fresh take on their heritage.
The team’s collaborative approach extended beyond aesthetics into sensory experience. Dobbin explored flavor alongside the whisky makers, expressing taste through concepts like pear tatin, red apples, and green tea. These nuanced profiles influenced the final product. According to Glass, the Calvados cask component provided distinctive apple tones, a deliberate nod to Dobbin’s vision. This alignment of flavor and form demonstrates a rare fusion between architectural thinking and whisky craftsmanship.
The Collectible: A More Accessible Expression of Innovation
The other half of this edition, “The Collectible,” gives whisky lovers a chance to explore Calvados cask finishing in a more accessible form. The Dalmore will release this 17-year-old single malt in a global run of 20,000 bottles. Although it doesn’t use the centuries-old casks found in The Rare, the distillery matures it in a carefully selected mix of Calvados, Matusalem and Apostoles sherry, Bordeaux red wine, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape casks.
The whisky finishes in American white oak, giving it balance and familiarity while showcasing the apple-forward tones derived from Calvados. The goal was to complement The Rare, not mimic it. The resulting profile is vibrant yet layered, carrying hints of spiced orchard fruit, subtle wine tannins, and nutty undertones. It speaks to the spirit of the Luminary Series: bold experimentation grounded in The Dalmore’s signature style.
Redefining Scotch Whisky with Calvados Casks and Creative Partnerships
The use of Calvados casks is more than a novelty—it’s a meaningful step in expanding Scotch whisky’s flavor landscape. Only since 2019 has the Scotch Whisky Association allowed Calvados-finished expressions. The Dalmore had already begun experimenting with these casks, but this is the first time the public can taste the result. Glass praises the chance to work with different vintages and ages of Calvados barrels, emphasizing their influence on texture and flavor precision.
The collaboration with Dobbin was essential in shaping not only the whisky’s sensory story but its artistic impact. The project encouraged The Dalmore’s team to rethink traditional processes and flavor goals. Each cask type brought its own contribution to the final blend. The Calvados finish layered in bright fruit, the sherry added complexity, and the red wine lent structure. Together, they created a Scotch unlike any before it.
A Whisky Made to Be Enjoyed, Not Just Collected
Despite its rarity, The Rare was created to be enjoyed, not merely displayed. Master whisky maker Gregg Glass believes that whisky reaches its full potential only when tasted and shared. Whether sipping from a bottle among thousands or holding the only one ever made, the experience should be emotional and complete. The Luminary Series No. 3 represents this ethos—bringing together art, architecture, and fine whisky into a unified experience meant to be savored.
The Dalmore’s 2025 Luminary Series marks a turning point in Scotch whisky history. It embraces newly allowed techniques, artistic vision, and deep respect for tradition. Through the dual releases of The Rare and The Collectible, The Dalmore has introduced not only a whisky but a narrative—crafted in wood, bronze, glass, and flavor—for the modern connoisseur.
