‘I wanted to create a design reflective of this swirling, ever-moving, fascinating process’
– Melodie Leung, director at
Zaha Hadid Architects
From left, Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE, Melodie Leung, and Luminary Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass
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By Verner Panton
The making of The Dalmore Luminary No.2 - 2024 Edition
It was the hidden, unseen movements of The Dalmore whisky’s creation that inspired architect and designer Melodie Leung in her collaboration with the brand on its latest release of rare and collectible whiskies, The Dalmore Luminary Series 2024 Edition.
As Leung, director at Zaha Hadid Architects, explains in an exclusive Wallpaper* interview and accompanying video, she first visited the distillery two years ago, at the start of the collaboration, walking amongst The Dalmore’s stills and barrels, learning about the artistry and complexity of whisky making and cask curation.
She became fascinated with what she couldn’t see and could only envision in her imagination.
‘The swirling interfaces within the casks, the multiple layering that happens over so many years,’ says Leung, of the alchemical process that would prove inspirational in her designs for the new whisky releases. The result includes a dramatic, swirling sculpture for the presentation of The Dalmore Luminary No.2 - The Rare; and packaging inspired by the same form for The Dalmore Luminary No.2 - The Collectible.
‘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,’ says Leung.
Her contribution, on behalf of Zaha Hadid Architects, is to the second collection in The Dalmore Luminary Series, a project in creative partnership with V&A Dundee that celebrates outstanding talents from the worlds of whisky-making and architectural design. Leung worked alongside The Dalmore’s award-winning Luminaries, Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE.
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Watch our film on The Dalmore Luminary No.2 - 2024 Edition as architect Melodie Leung describes her inspiration for the collaboration
The making of The Dalmore Luminary Series 2024 Edition
Together, this team embarked on an exploration of the 49-year-old Highland single malt’s extraordinary maturation process, discovering layers of intense vanilla, dark berry fruit and cacao aromas, with blackcurrant, Doyenne pears and soft patisserie spices, and a subtle, sweet smoke finish.
Leung particularly noted the idea of nature channelled over time by the whisky makers in the slow maturation process, and the concept of flavour notes combining into something new, dynamic and tangible.
The project’s one-of-a-kind whiskies and their respective presentations emerged from this convergence of flavour and form, a multisensory adventure of swirling complexity, texture, depth, and nuance. The Rare’s one-off sculpture echoes the whisky’s complex structure, enhancing the luxurious whisky-drinking experience, and creating an artwork for what is already a rare and desirable collector’s item.
Glass samples used in the creation of The Rare sculpture
Meanwhile, for the packaging of the limited-edition Collectible, ‘we looked very carefully at creating a depth-heightening, three-dimensional effect’, explains Leung. Alongside the swirling form of her sculpture, the distillery’s copper stills were an inspiration for the packaging’s metallic relief highlights, which link the outside and inside of the box. ‘We heightened the effect of the swirling design in the depth of each layer, each of the lines directed to the inside of the box in a very precise way.’
Melodie Leung with work in progress for the sculpture for The Dalmore Luminary - The Rare - 2024 Edition
Wallpaper* attended The Dalmore’s recent launch celebration for the Luminary Series No.2 at the V&A Dundee and, over a glass of 49-year-old whisky, filmed a conversation with Leung, encompassing whisky, sculpture, epicureanism and the creative process.
‘For me, this project encompasses everything,’ says the architect. ‘A multidisciplinary work with a multitude of threads that has drawn on both my career and my entire life experience. Like the whisky-making process itself, it has been a long but fascinating journey.’
The Dalmore Luminary No.2 Collectible is now available in a limited edition, priced £275 at select luxury and specialist retailers worldwide as well as global travel retail. Thedalmore.com
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The Dalmore Luminary - The Rare - 2024 Edition, presented in a sculpture created by Melodie Leung
