The Dalmore 17 Year Luminary No.3 2025 Edition

Product Description

The Dalmore Luminary No.3 – 2025 Edition is a 17-year-old Highland single malt Scotch whisky and the third chapter in The Dalmore’s acclaimed Luminary Series. This series is a unique four-year partnership with Scotland’s V&A Dundee design museum, marrying whisky excellence with visionary architectural design. Each Luminary release features two expressions – “The Rare” and “The Collectible” – showcasing collaboration between The Dalmore’s whisky makers and a renowned design luminary. In the 2025 edition, architect Ben Dobbin of Foster + Partners is the luminary who co-created the whisky alongside The Dalmore’s Master Whisky Makers, in a creative exchange that celebrates craftsmanship in both whisky and design.

Luminary No.3’s Rare expression is an ultra-exclusive 52-year-old malt housed in a one-of-a-kind bronze sculpture designed by Dobbin and auctioned for charity. The 17-Year-Old “Collectible” edition – offered here – was developed in parallel to complement The Rare’s profile. It comes presented in a bespoke presentation case inspired by the Rare’s sculptural design, allowing whisky aficionados to experience the spirit of this collaboration in an accessible form. Continuing the Luminary tradition (past editions were conceived with famed designers like Kengo Kuma and Melodie Leung), Luminary No.3 combines The Dalmore’s rich heritage of sherry-cask maturation with innovative cask finishes and artistic vision. The result is a whisky of exceptional depth and character, produced in a strictly limited release of 20,000 bottles worldwide.

As a highlight of our collection at Nestor Liquor, The Dalmore Luminary No.3 2025 Edition invites collectors and connoisseurs to savor a piece of whisky history. Each sip tells a story of decades of maturation and creative collaboration. Now available from Nestor Liquor (the preferred online retailer for this release), this bottle is a must-have for those who appreciate the finer points of Scotch whisky and design innovation. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this marriage of Highland whisky artistry and architectural inspiration, presented in a stunning collector’s format.

ABV & Cask Maturation

Bottled at a robust 49.2% ABV, The Dalmore Luminary No.3 (17 Year) underwent a meticulous maturation journey. First, it aged in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, developing a classic Dalmore backbone of vanilla and honeyed sweetness. It was then finished in an assemblage of exceptional casks, including rare vintage Calvados apple brandy casks from 1989 and 1999, Matusalem and Apostoles sherry barrels (well-aged Oloroso and Palo Cortado sherries), rich red wine barriques from Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, as well as additional ex-bourbon casks. This complex seven-cask finish is unprecedented in The Dalmore’s history – in fact, the Luminary No.3 is among the first Dalmore releases ever to incorporate Calvados cask maturation. Such an innovative cask profile imbues the whisky with layered flavors of orchard fruits, warm spices, and confectionery sweetness. The whisky is non-chill filtered and natural in color, ensuring that every nuance of its 17-year maturation and multi-cask finish is preserved for the discerning palate.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep amber gold, with a warm glow in the glass – a testament to its long maturation and rich cask influence.

• Nose: Bright and inviting. Luscious orchard fruits (think ripe apples and pear) lead the aroma, followed by waves of Madagascan vanilla and cinnamon. Hints of delicate rose water and honeyed oak rise in the background, reflecting the whisky’s diverse cask finish.

• Palate: Decadently rich and complex. Butterscotch and crème caramel notes coat the palate alongside baked tarte Tatin (caramelized apple tart) and red apple sweetness. Layers of dark cacao (dark chocolate) and red licorice emerge, interwoven with soft wood spices from the oak. As the whisky opens up, subtle accents of cardamom, Seville orange zest, and a whisper of green tea come through, adding depth and intrigue to each sip.

• Finish: Long, graceful, and warming. The flavors evolve into notes of dried apricots and ripe blackberries, giving a fruity send-off, while tones of fresh-baked brioche and buttery pastry linger on the tongue. A gentle cassia bark (cinnamon wood) spice persists in the very end, reminding you of the whisky’s time in sherry and wine casks. The finish is smooth and enduring, inviting you to savor its complexity long after each sip.

Suggested Food & Cigar Pairings

• Food Pairings: Indulge in decadent desserts or savory courses that echo the whisky’s flavors. Dark chocolate truffles or a flourless chocolate cake will underscore its cocoa and spice notes. Similarly, an apple tarte tatin or caramel-glazed bread pudding mirrors the whisky’s baked orchard fruit sweetness. For savory options, try roast duck with an orange sauce or seared steak with a fig reduction – the bold flavors and caramelization in these dishes play beautifully with the Dalmore’s sherry and wine cask influences. Aged cheeses (like an extra mature cheddar or blue Stilton) can also pair well, as their nutty, salty character contrasts the whisky’s sweetness and accentuates its fruity nuances.

• Cigar Pairing: The Dalmore Luminary 17 Year is an ideal companion for a fine cigar. We recommend a medium-to-full bodied cigar that won’t overpower the whisky’s complexity. For example, a Partagás Serie D No.4 or a Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro offers rich notes of cocoa, cedar, and spice that harmonize with the Luminary’s chocolate, coffee, and oak tones. The cigar’s leathery sweetness and peppery kick will draw out the Scotch’s lingering sherry spices and toffee smoothness.

FAQs

What is The Dalmore Luminary No.3 2025 Edition?
The Dalmore Luminary No.3 – 2025 Edition is a limited-release single malt Scotch whisky aged 17 years. It’s the third installment in The Dalmore’s Luminary Series, a collaboration with the V&A Dundee design museum that pairs the distillery’s whisky craftsmanship with world-class architectural design. This 2025 edition (also called “The Collectible”) was created in partnership with architect Ben Dobbin of Foster + Partners and The Dalmore’s Master Distillers, resulting in a whisky that embodies both artistic inspiration and Highland whisky heritage. Only 20,000 bottles were produced globally, making it a true collector’s item.

How was The Dalmore Luminary No.3 17 Year matured and finished?
This whisky was initially matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, developing a base of classic vanilla and oak tones. It then underwent an intricate multi-cask finishing process in a variety of exceptional casks. These included casks that formerly held vintage Calvados (French apple brandy from 1989 and 1999), Matusalem and Apostoles sherries (well-aged Spanish sherries), red wine from Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and additional seasoned American oak barrels. This unique maturation imparts layers of flavor – from apple and pear notes (via Calvados) to nutty sweetness and spice (from sherry and wine casks). The whisky is bottled at 49.2% ABV, non-chill filtered with natural color, to ensure maximum depth of flavor in the final product.

What are the tasting notes of The Dalmore Luminary No.3 17 Year?
The Luminary No.3 offers a deep amber pour and an inviting nose of orchard fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, and subtle rosewater florals. On the palate, you’ll experience rich butterscotch and baked apple (tarte tatin), intertwined with hints of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, orange zest, and delicate green tea bitterness. The finish is long and smooth, leaving traces of dried apricot, blackberry, warm brioche bread, and gentle oak spice on the palate. Overall, expect a harmonious balance of sweet fruit, spice, and chocolatey richness – a testament to The Dalmore’s complex cask finishing.

How limited is the 2025 Edition of Dalmore Luminary No.3?
The Dalmore Luminary No.3 – 2025 Edition (17 Year) is highly limited, with only 20,000 bottles released worldwide. By Dalmore standards, this makes it a rare offering targeted at collectors and enthusiasts. Each bottle is individually numbered (indicating its place out of 20,000), and once they’re sold out, this edition will not be reproduced. Its limited nature, combined with the collaborative artistry behind it, means the value and allure of this whisky are expected to grow over time. If you’re looking to secure a bottle, it’s wise to act quickly before stocks run out.

Who collaborated on The Dalmore Luminary Series No.3 2025 Edition?
Luminary No.3 was a collaborative creation between The Dalmore’s whisky team and architect Ben Dobbin. Ben Dobbin, a Senior Partner at Foster + Partners (the famed architects behind landmarks like Apple Park in California), served as the design “Luminary” for this edition. He worked closely with The Dalmore’s Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE to influence both the whisky’s flavor profile and its presentation. This collaboration is part of The Dalmore’s partnership with V&A Dundee, wherein each Luminary release brings together a visionary designer and the distillery’s expertise. Previous Luminary editions saw partnerships with architect Kengo Kuma (Luminary No.1, 2022) and designer Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects (Luminary No.2, 2024), each leaving their creative mark on the whisky and its packaging.

Where can I buy The Dalmore Luminary No.3 2025 Edition (17 Year)?
Nestor Liquor is proud to be a preferred online retailer for The Dalmore Luminary No.3 – 2025 Edition. You can purchase this limited 17-year-old single malt directly from Nestor Liquor’s website, which offers secure shipping and assurance of authenticity for this collectible whisky. Given the limited availability (only 20,000 bottles globally), it’s available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to Nestor Liquor, a select few luxury whisky retailers and specialty stores may carry the Luminary No.3, but supplies are extremely limited. Ordering from Nestor Liquor ensures you’re getting it from a trusted source, and you can have this rare Dalmore delivered straight to your door to enrich your whisky collection.