‘A perfect marriage between whisky and architecture’ – The Dalmore launches The Luminary Series No.1 2022 Edition with China Duty Free Group

CHINA. The Dalmore has launched The Dalmore Luminary No.1 2022 Edition – The Collectible with China Duty Free Group (CDFG) in Hainan province, marking the ultra-premium single malt Scotch whisky’s global travel retail debut.

As reported, the whisky is one of a duo in The Dalmore Luminary Series, developed in collaboration with Kengo Kuma and Maurizio Mucciola – architects for the V&A Dundee design museum in Dundee, Scotland – over the course of three years.

{Click on the YouTube icon to view our colleague from Hainan Hinews Media Co Lu Tianqin’s film of the activation. Hainan Hinews Media Co is The Moodie Davitt Report’s strategic partner on Hainan island. Readers in China can view the film here.}

The Dalmore Luminary No.1 2022 Edition comprises The Rare and The Collectible. Each boasts a customised design that pays homage to the arts of sculpture and whisky-making, offering a special opportunity for whisky lovers and collectors.

Only 15,000 decanters of Luminary No.1 2022 Edition – The Collectible are available worldwide.

The choice of CDFG as its global travel retail launch partner for The Dalmore Luminary Series underlines the importance of the China duty free market, the Whyte & Mackay-owned brand company said.

To celebrate the launch, The Dalmore has launched a pop-up store at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hainan province with The Collectible as its “absolute star.”

Commenting on the alliance, Hainan Duty Free Deputy General Manager and cdf Haikou Meilan Airport Duty Free Executive Deputy General Manager Feng Ling said, “As the world’s largest travel retailer, CDFG has continuously worked to strengthen its relationships with brand partners; to introduce a wider variety of high-quality duty free products at attractive prices; and to consistently appeal to consumers with our integrity and world-class services and offerings. We will continue to contribute to the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.”

Working with cdf Haikou Meilan Airport Duty Free, Haikou Meilan International Airport is introducing a series of brand pop-up, including The Dalmore installation. In addition, The Dalmore has again joined forces with CDFG during the final quarter of the year to introduce more limited-edition whiskies.

Haikou Meilan International Airport Vice President Xing Xihong said, “As a window of the Hainan Free Trade Port that serves visitors from across the world, Haikou Meilan International Airport is committed to providing more and better retail offerings for our passengers.

“Offshore duty free is one of the biggest attractions of Hainan. So we are always working with the airport duty free retailer to bring the world’s best and trendiest brands here as a way to better meet the demand of our customers and provide a great shopping experience to tourists in Hainan.”

A historical alliance

The Luminary No.1 is bottled in an elegant sculpture, creating what the brand described as “a perfect harmony” that pays tribute to art and artisanship in two fields.

Kengo Kuma, considered one of the world’s pre-eminent architects, was the only architect named in the TIME100 Most Influential People of 2021 list. He served as the lead architect for V&A Dundee. Kuma is known for his extensive and innovative use of natural materials, particularly wood – a preference that was showcased in his interior design for V&A Dundee.

For the Luminary project, Kuma and his protégé Maurizio Mucciola set out to create a poetic connection between architectural design and whisky-making, anchored by the sharing of materials and inspirations drawn from nature.

Richard Paterson, Master Distiller at The Dalmore Distillery, was awarded the prestigious Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) title in 2021 for his distinguished contribution to the whisky industry. He and Kuma channeled their 60-plus years of experience into the making of The Rare.

Meanwhile, their respective protégés, Maurizio Mucciola and Gregg Glass (The Dalmore), together created The Collectible. Standing both as a homage to their mentors and as a showcase of their own ingenuity and artistry exudes a deep respect for natural materials and the artistic process, and the collaborators’ commitment to excellence.

Luminary No.1 2022 Edition – The Rare

Co-conceived by Kengo Kuma and Richard Paterson OBE, The Rare represents a historical cross-disciplinary union between architecture and whisky-making, The Dalmore said. This extremely rare 48-year-old single malt, which marked the inaugural chapter of a four-year partnership between The Dalmore and V&A Dundee beginning in 2020, represents a milestone in both men’s careers, the company added.

With only three bottles created for this edition, The Rare is a rarity in the history of The Dalmore. It was matured for 48 years in Scottish and Japanese oak casks. Each decanter comes with a sculpture by Kuma that comprises 48 hand-crafted diamond-shaped particles of Scottish oak, Japanese oak and polished steel. The oak and the shiny metal together bring a sense of layer and balance as a nod to the complex yet harmonious flavour of the whisky.

Luminary No.1 2022 Edition – The Collectible

A 15-year-old single malt crafted by master whisky maker and blender Gregg Glass, The Collectible starts its maturation journey in American white oak casks and finishes in Italian Amarone red wine casks and special ‘Kintsugi’ casks. The latter, customised specifically for the series, were crafted from Scottish oak, Japanese mizunara oak and American white oak to achieve the desired balance of flavour.

The accompanying case, designed by Maurizio Mucciola, continues the diamond-shaped particle design of his mentor Kuma. It features an earthy palette that evokes the warmth of nature, highlighting the connection between the natural environment and whisky making.

The Dalmore and V&A Dundee’s four-year collaboration is much more than an opportunity for product development, the whisky company said. As the world’s fastest growing single malt brand, The Dalmore hopes to forge a global platform with the museum for contemporary distillers and designers to support and cultivate creative talent in both fields. This will encourage more creative-minded industry professionals to create masterpieces of the future, The Dalmore said.

Meet The Luminaries