After designing megaprojects, stupendous structures, and fantastic furniture, Zaha Hadid Architects Director Melodie Leung lent her genius to a much smaller but equally impressive medium. The Dalmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the latest chapter of the brand’s Luminary Series, now comes in a dramatic, swirling sculpture thanks to Leung. She worked alongside Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE to bring The Dalmore Luminary No.2 – The Rare to life. The 49-year-old single malt encased in Leung’s sculpture will come in a limited edition of only two bottles, of which one will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s with proceeds going to benefit the V&A Dundee design museum in Scotland. Coming to the sculpture, the designer stirred her imagination and was essentially inspired by everything that she cannot see.
“The swirling interfaces within the casks, the multiple layering that happens over so many years,” shared Leung, of the alchemical process that inspired the designs of the new whisky releases. She added, “I imagined all of the different movements that happen over the years, the elements layering on top of one another to create the whisky blend, and decided that I wanted to create a sculpture and a design that was reflective of this swirling, ever-moving, and always fascinating process.”
Leung’s incredible idea was brought to fruition by UK-based master glass artist Fiaz Elson, of The Glass Foundry. Initially fired for 12 weeks and then gradually lowered in temperature to prevent cracking, the sculpture was eventually fine-polished by hand. The trio worked tirelessly with a whopping 300 prototypes before zeroing in on the final whiskies. The Rare was first aged in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks, witnessed by Paterson himself, and finished in a combination of Port Colheita 1963, Apostoles sherry, and bourbon hybrid casks.
The 49-year-old Highland single malt’s excellent maturation process offers the best of intense vanilla, dark berry fruit, and cacao aromas, with blackcurrant, Doyenne pears, and soft patisserie spices, and a subtle, sweet smoke finish, per the Wallpaper. The first complete The Rare set will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in May, and the second full set will be exhibited at The Dalmore’s Highlands distillery. A third bottle is being saved to complete a full Luminary series set.
