The Dalmore Drops 52-Year-Old Whisky With Sculptural Edge

he Dalmore is back with Chapter Three of its Luminary Series — a slick collision of whisky craft and high design. This time, the Highland distillery has teamed up with architect Ben Dobbin from Foster + Partners (the firm behind Apple Park and the Transamerica Pyramid revamp) to create something seriously next-level.

The centrepiece? A 52-year-old single malt – The Rare – presented in a dramatic, bronze sculpture built using tensegrity, an architectural technique that makes the decanter appear suspended in mid-air. Only two sets exist: one goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s Hong Kong this May, with all proceeds going to V&A Dundee.

The whisky itself is a masterclass in cask finishing — think vintage Calvados, 1940 Colheita Port, 40-year Pedro Ximénez and more. It’s the oldest drop in the Luminary Series so far and a bold flex in whisky artistry.

For those not hitting the Sotheby’s price bracket, there’s The Collectible — a 17-year-old single malt inspired by The Rare, finished in seven cask types including rare sherries and Bordeaux reds. Housed in a sculptural presentation case and strictly limited to 20,000 bottles worldwide, it lands mid-May at select luxury retailers, priced at £299.