LONDON, 20 October 2022 – Launched in September, as part of a unique partnership between The Dalmore and V&A Dundee, The Luminary No.1 The Rare comprises a 48 Year Old Single Malt whisky housed in a striking sculpture designed by Kengo Kuma, the museum’s globally acclaimed architect. Made of 48 hand-crafted diamond-shaped particles of Scottish Oak, Japanese Oak and polished metal to represent the number of years the whisky was nurtured by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE, the concept originated from a quest to discover a point of convergence between the complex skills of design and whisky-making.
Only three bottles and two sculptures have been created. One of these complete editions will be held at the distillery’s Highland home, the second is destined for auction at Sotheby’s in London on 16 November, with an estimate of £95,000-180,000 and bidding online from 1 November. A portion of the proceeds will to be donated to V&A Dundee. The third bottle will be released as part of a compendium release of the series in the years to come.
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The sale will mark another milestone in the ongoing creative collaboration between Kuma and Paterson, which began in 2020 alongside the announcement of a four-year partnership with the museum to showcase and nurture exceptional design and craftsmanship. In 2021, The Dalmore donated £100,000 to V&A Dundee from Sotheby’s record sale of the one-of-one, exceedingly rare Decades No.6 Collection at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.
The original designer’s proof of the sculpture and replica bottle will be unveiled at a special event at V&A Dundee on Thursday 20 October, attended by the “Luminaries” Kuma and Paterson, who co-conceived “The Rare”, ahead of the piece going on public display from 22 October.
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Head of Whisky & Spirits, North America and EMEA, said: “Working with The Dalmore always brings new surprises as their creativity seemingly knows no bounds. The Luminary is not simply an extremely rare bottle, but one of exceptional quality with an exquisite design lovingly put together by Richard and Kuma. This is Sotheby’s third partnership with The Dalmore in recent years and there is no better way to close out our 2022 auctions in London than with this marriage of whisky and design.”
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Kengo Kuma, the only architect named in the prestigious TIME 100 in 2021, and Richard Paterson, awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List for his services to whisky, together bring more than six decades of experience to the Rare, the embodiment of the pursuit of excellence over a lifetime.
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Kuma’s sculpture highlights the architect’s signature gentle interrogation and intimate understanding of natural materials and negative space, making use of metal and wood to frame the decanter at its centre. The oak diamonds mingle with light reflected from the shiny metal particles to achieve a sense of balance and harmony, in a nod to the art of the Master Distillers who create perfectly harmonious whisky flavours. The Scottish oak wood chosen for the project was sourced from a tree that had fallen on the banks of the River Tay where V&A Dundee sits.
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An auction record for The Dalmore was achieved at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in October 2021 for a one-of-a-kind set of six vintage single malts direct from the distillery, sold for US$1.1 million.
In May 2019, The Dalmore L’Anima Aged 49 Years sold for £108,900 / $140,350. The exclusive, one of a kind bottling was created by The Dalmore and Massimo Bottura, Chef-Patron of Osteria Francescana, voted the World’s No. 1 Restaurant in 2016 and 2018.
For more information on The Dalmore Luminary Series, please click here.
TASTING NOTES
Luminary No.1 – 2022 Edition – Rare Aged 48 Years
An immensely rare and valuable whisky hand nurtured by Master Distiller Richard Paterson for 48 years. The Luminary No.1 Rare is a unique assemblage of rare and aged Dalmore whisky with influences from Oloroso and Apostoles Sherry, Vintage Port and American White Oak. The assemblage has been finished in Scottish Tay Oak and Japanese Oak casks, air-dried at the distillery for years.
The Aroma: A multitude of exotic nuances come together in true harmony, black morello cherries, roasted coffee beans, Ogen melon drenched in Port wine and honeysuckle.
The Palate: An energetic vibrancy of Black Forest fruit, maple syrup, crushed Pontefract cakes and thick chocolate cake.
Finishing Notes: Demerara sugar, Seville orange marmalade and apricots.
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40.8% ABV | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Colour
About Sotheby’s Wine
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits hit a record $132 million in 2021, a 44% increase on 2020. Sotheby’s Wine currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction.
In addition to auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.
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*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.
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