A rare 49-year-old whisky from The Dalmore, presented in a breathtaking glass sculpture designed by Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects, sold for US$117,400 at a Sotheby’s auction, raising money for the V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum. Only three bottles of this exquisite creation exist. This Dalmore whisky, part of the limited-edition Luminary No. 2 collection, is a result of a collaboration with V&A Dundee. One bottle will be on display at the museum, while another is being kept by the distillery for a special compendium of The Dalmore Luminary bottles, targeted for completion in 2025.
Crafted from 80 kilograms of glass, the sculpture underwent a meticulous 12-week kiln process, reaching temperatures of 890°C and cooling slowly for optimal clarity. The design features cascading layers of copper glass, symbolizing the whisky’s layered flavors developed during its long aging process. Over 500 hours of meticulous hand-polishing resulted in a smooth, glossy finish. The continuous loop design, with no beginning or end, reflects the cyclical nature of distillation, perfectly complementing the precious whisky it holds.
“The sculpture we created for The Rare was inspired by our fascinating discussions around the interaction and flow of flavour notes in the whisky-making process, including the unique silhouettes of the copper stills. It mirrors the multiple layers of ageing and blending that went into creating this whisky, which is the exquisite product of nature channelled over time.” Melodie Leung, Director, Zaha Hadid Architects.
After aging in American white oak ex-bourbon casks for 49 years, this whisky received a complex finishing process. It spent additional time in a combination of Port Colheita 1963 casks, 30-year-old Apostoles sherry casks, and specially selected bourbon casks. Finally, it was finished in a unique 1951 virgin oak hybrid cask toasted by Master Whisky Maker Greg Glass.
The Dalmore has generously donated all £75,000 (US$95,277) from the sale to V&A Dundee.
