The Dalmore is a staple of many great whisky cabinets, but for 2025 the scotch distillery is going after space in another important storage space for great booze: the wine cellar. The Dalmore Cask Curation Series: The Red Wine Cask Edition is a collection of three whiskies aged in barrels that once matured French red wines — a departure from their typical port and sherry finishes, for which the distillery is best known. The collection comprises three red wine casked whiskies: a 24-year, a 34-year, and a 43-year. 

The distillery’s official partner for this collection is Château Mont-Redon of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southeast of France. The winery, which is the largest single property in the appellation, was founded in 1923 — a full 13 years before the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation was even created. Founder Henri Plantin recognized the potential of the land’s terroir early, and the result of that decision has been more than a century of complex wines (and now, whiskies). 

This is not the first time that red wine has been used to make a Dalmore malt. Bottles like The Dalmore Quintessence have previously used red wine, though in the case of Quintessence, the barrels hailed from wineries in California, and featured Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. The Dalmore launched the Cask Curation line in 2023 with its sherry series, and followed last year with an exploration of port casks. This third collection is the first to touch unfortified wines, specifically wines made from Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache Noir. Dalmore describes these wines as “rich and plummy,” with savory notes and a jammy character.

Red wine has been an increasingly popular theme across malt whiskies in recent years, and generally speaking it’s been a reliable way for distilleries that specialize in things like sherry and port to showcase the range of their spirit. Red wine maturation delivers similar flavors to port and sherry, but typically these flavors are more bright, fresh, ripe, and juicy than the nutty, dark, concentrated flavors of fortified wines.

The Dalmore’s collection seems to be keeping in line with that rule. Tasting notes provided by the distillery suggest that the youngest whisky in this collection (the 24-year-old) teases notes of red berries, citrus, roasted coffee, and creme brulee. The 34-year-old builds on these flavors with wood spice, overripe berries, and a “touch” of licorice. As for the 43-year release, it adds dark chocolate, tropical fruits, and a more defined backbone of wood spice running through the palate, with a hint of leather on the nose.

Cask Curation 2025’s price is, thankfully, for all three bottles  — a full $47,750 (Cask Curation is sold exclusively as a set). Speaking of the set, there are just 150 of them for the entire global market, available from the beginning of October. 

G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for whisky reviews and trends, perspectives on drinks, and stuff.

The Balvenie Fifty might be having its Empire Strikes Back moment in 2025. After releasing a rare 50-year-old single cask scotch in 2024, this year’s release adds complexity, depth, and a bit of flexing from Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie.

She started this trilogy with a single European oak refill butt laid down in 1973 — a testament to the whisky making talent of her forbearers. For the record release, McKechnie has taken a more hands on approach, marrying some of that original European oak liquid with whisky from an American oak hogshead filled the same year, making this a two-cask creation. 

”For The Second Edition,” explains McKechnie, “we selected an American oak hogshead filled in 1973 to build on the legacy of the inaugural release. The time spent maturing in American oak has nurtured a beautifully balanced character, with notes of sweet honey and warming oak. This profile was chosen to complement the European oak influence of The First Edition, creating a marriage of casks that brings both contrast and continuity to the flavor thread running through the trilogy.”

The Balvenie Fifty is a planned collection of three releases. The first, launched in 2024, had an ABV of 52.3, while the second dips a bit lower to 49.8. According to tasting notes provided by the distillery, it seems to make up for the lower proof with darker flavors and aromas — violets, roses, currant and multiple layers of toffee, butter, and oak. 

What the third release will look like is anyone’s guess. McKechnie could continue her pattern and add a third cask to create the final liquid, or release the American hogshead as a standalone bottle. She could likewise do something completely new and different — or draw on whiskies of the past for inspiration. Balvenie is known for its more eccentric age stated releases and collections. The David Stewart Compendium collected incredible bottles from rare vintages, and the Balvenie Tun releases are among the distillery’s most coveted bottles. But this undertaking is substantially bigger and more ambitious.

Now for the bad news: only 97 bottles of this rare whisky were even filled, which a crushingly small portion of just 13 allocated for the US market. Suggested retail for batch two of Balvenie Fifty is $55,000, which isn’t a bad price by current standards for whiskies half a century old. Trilogies are always a challenge (just ask JJ Abrams), so it’s entirely possible that this could end up as the best bottle in the collection. But Balvenie has a long, rich history of incredible whiskies.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be expecting McKechnie to stick the landing, and hoping that you’re able to try a flight next year when all three are out in the world.

G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for whisky reviews and trends, perspectives on drinks, and stuff.

One of the most respected whiskies in the Scottish Highlands is releasing two incredible new whiskies this month. Glendronach distillery will launch Glendronach 30-Year-Old and Glendronach 40-Year-Old worldwide, with a modest supply of this rare liquid coming to the U.S. market. If you’ve never heard the Glendronach name before, it’s likely due to some gatekeeping. Glendronach is one of the great Highland whiskies — an oily, rich single malt often defined by a deep and intense sherry profile. Glendronach is perhaps the name in so-called sherry bombs — whiskeys bursting with the deep, velvety fruit and dessert characters of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry finishes.

Glendronach 30-Year-Old, referred to as “A Symphony of Sherry Casks,” is a blend of several sherry styles. In addition to the Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks that Glendronach is known for, this bottle will feature a portion of Amontillado in the blend for the first time in the distillery’s history. It’s a style of sherry known for its nutty and tobacco notes. Judging by master blender Rachel Barrie’s tasting notes, these might be some of the best bottles from Glendronach in years. 30-Year-Old has a “dark cherry walnut” color, with a rich nose of cherries, raisins, dates, brazil nut toffee, and caramel. On the palate, it’s described as “seductively smooth,” with flavors of glazed cherry, cinnamon raisin, toffee, and chocolate hazelnut cafe creme.

As for Glendronach 40-Year-Old (which is being called “The Pinnacle of Artistry”), it’s a new achievement in the distillery’s mastery of PX and Oloroso blending. Notes provided by Glendronach describe the 40-Year-Old as deep and dark in color, and plush and velvety in texture. The color is described as black ochre, and aromas of black cherry, blackberry, stewed plum, and sherry soaked chocolate cake will be your first experiences with this liquid. On the palate, blackcurrant, bramble compote, prune, raisin, and mexican hot chocolate echo those aromas.

Glendronach has been making moves in the lead-up to a major anniversary. The distillery, which turns 200 next year, refreshed its entire portfolio last year with fresh branding. In the past several years, Glendronach has also debuted new collections and retooled some of its classic blends under the supervision of Barrie. Getting your hands on this newest liquid is certainly going to be a challenge due to the limited production volumes for each bottle; there are only 1,300 bottles for the 30-Year available for the U.S. market, and as for the 40-Year, well, there are just 70 bottles.

The new Glendronach 30-Year-Old has a suggested retail price of $1,300, and is bottled at 46.8 percent ABV. Glendronach 40-Year-Old 2025, which is bottled at 43.9 percent ABV, will retail for $6,700. The bottles are available starting today, September 9th, though actual availability may vary market to market. Likewise, prices will likely rise — there are a lot of Glendronach lovers out there. 

If you’re not in the running for either of these bottles, though, I’d highly recommend a much more affordable pour from their portfolio, the Glendronach 18 at around $250. A pour of that liquid will be the easiest way to understand why these two bottles are going to be so hard to find. 

G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for single malt and other whisky trends, perspectives on drinks, and stuff.

The latest Glenlivet single malt (dubbed “Artistry in Oak”) was first distilled and laid to rest a stunning 85 years ago by Gordon & MacPhail managers John and George Urqhuart, landing in a Gordon & MacPhail American Oak cask on February 3rd, 1940 “to be enjoyed after their lifetime by future generations.​” It’s a wise bet that the father-son duo couldn’t have imagined the liquid would survive more than eight decades: Enough fine Scotch lasted, in fact, to fill 125 decanters set for release in October

It’s a milestone for the 128-year independent Scotch bottler, as the company has worked with more than 100 distilleries across the decades, including The Glenlivet’s latest generation-spanning effort. Gordon & MacPhail (which also owns Speyside producers The Cairn and Benromach) announced in 2023 it would exit the realm of independent bottling, according to Whisky Advocate, but the company still has plenty of stock under its watch to account for special and incredibly rare releases.

The Glenlivet has dabbled in modern innovation (like ready-to-drink Scotch cocktails and a bourbon and rum cask-finished expression) in recent years, but the latest ultra-covetable release harkens back to the time-honored art and science of letting oak interact with distillate.

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The result is a 43.7 percent ABV Scotch bottled in an as-yet-to-be-released series of decanters designed in partnership with famed American architect Jeanne Gang. The architect’s focus on sustainable design solutions and a style shaped by nature were of particular interest in selecting a partner to deliver such a rarified decanter, Gordon & MacPhail noted. The company’s Ultra Rare private range already includes a 1949 release from The Glenlivet, and a range of more than 40 whiskies can be bought online now via Gordon & MacPhail, but this fall 2025 debut should prove the most jealousy-inducing yet.

In fact, Gordon & MacPhail notes that it made the decision to bottle this Scotch nearly 85 years to the day it was first laid down (February 5th, 2025,), “harnessing knowledge passed down through four generations,” and in the process raising “this exceptional single malt from its slumber.” The first decanter holding liquid from Gordon & MacPhail cask no. 336 is set to be auctioned off by Christie’s this coming November, with auction proceeds benefitting forest restoration charity American Forests.

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“Given the importance of oak in our craft, this partnership was a natural fit, aligning with our mission to leave a meaningful legacy for ongoing generations, via fundraising for the sustainable future of American oak trees,” said Gordon & MacPhail Director of Prestige Stephen Rankin, who also noted that the awe-inspiring forthcoming release “is truly exceptional due to its remarkable history and unique maturation process.” While details on the design of the decanter, pricing and purchase information are scarce at the moment, interested parties can sign up for further news online at Gordon & MacPhail.

Laphroaig is finally set to launch its 2025 Cairdeas single malt scotch whisky release, Lore Cask Strength, in the U.S. market. This limited-edition bottling of the popular Lore expression is presented at a cask strength of 59.6 percent ABV, offering enthusiasts a more potent experience of this complex whisky.

What makes the distillery’s Lore range so distinctive is its complex blend of whiskies of different ages and from various cask types. It combines liquid aged from 7 to 21 years in a variety of hand-selected barrels, including ex-Bourbon, European oak, and Oloroso sherry butts. Some of the spirit also spends time in smaller quarter casks, which intensifies the maturation process and enhances the whisky’s rich flavor profile. The “Lore” expressions, a tribute to the generational knowledge passed down by Laphroaig’s master distillers, is widely regarded as one of distillery’s most balanced and layered offerings.

The Cairdeas release, which means “friendship” in Gaelic, is created specifically for the Friends of Laphroaig community and coincides with Feis Ile, the celebrated Islay festival where the annual bottling is first unveiled.

Per Laphroaig, here are the new scotch’s official tasting notes:

• Aroma: Sweet, herbal and boldly peaty. A superbly fruity expression with aromas of apricot, peaches in syrup and lemon cream, combined with a hint of coconut and a vanilla fudge sweetness. A hint of freshly mown grass and tangy basil is also present, with a slight trace of tobacco and white pepper.
• Taste: Opening with an extraordinary explosion of peat with a salty sea spray, followed by a peppery sparkle on the tongue. Notes of lemon zest, salted limes and caramel dominate, leading on to more herbal notes of fresh mint and rich tea leaves in the background. Delicate spices emerge including cumin, cloves and ginger whilst you encounter an almost antiseptic sensation on the palate.
• Finish: A long-lasting finish with a citrus sweetness and an everlasting, phenolic aftertaste.
• Maturation: A complex blend of single malts that have aged in ex-Bourbon, European oak and Oloroso sherry barrels, along with quarter casks.

The 2025 Laphroaig Càirdeas is priced at $110 per bottle in the U.S. It’s best enjoyed neat, over ice, or with just a few drops of water.

For discerning collectors of liquid gold, a rare and unparalleled opportunity is on the horizon. Bonhams, the esteemed global auction house, is offering up “The Encyclopedic Whisky Collection,” a monumental grouping of high-end whiskies that promises to prove pivotal in the landscape of luxury spirits auctions. Amassed over a quarter-century by a single, visionary American connoisseur, this comprehensive compilation of rare bottles boasts not only exceptional provenance but also impeccable storage, a testament to the mystery collector’s unwavering dedication.

This extraordinary collection, comprising over 300 lots, will be unveiled across two distinct sales. The highlight will be a live auction on June 26, marking the first-ever live sale at Bonhams’ new Boston saleroom. Before that, an online-only sale of 250 lots, all offered without reserve, will run through June 30, providing a broader entry point for collectible whisky enthusiasts. This dual-pronged approach represents the largest collection of spirits ever offered by Bonhams in the U.S., cementing its place as a landmark event in the world of covetable whiskies.

“The Encyclopedic Collection is a landmark in every sense—the largest single-owner spirits offering ever presented by Bonhams in the United States, and now marking the opening of our new Boston saleroom,” commented Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine & Spirits. “It embodies the vision, scale, and ambition of a passionate collector and also echoes a new and transformative chapter for Bonhams.”

Indeed, this one-of-a-kind assortment is a veritable liquid library, tracing the complete history of Scotland’s greatest whiskies while also featuring the very best of American and Japanese expressions. Sean Purce, Senior Specialist of Fine Wines and Rare Spirits at Bonhams, aptly summarized the collection’s ethos: “An undeniable common thread linking the offerings in this sale is that these distilleries, and this consignor, have all resisted, and continue to resist, the temptation to compromise. Instead, they’ve doubled down on craftsmanship, and eye for the future, and staying true to their beliefs, knowing true excellence in whisky is measured by the depth of its flavor and the integrity of its liquid. For one collector to possess the most prized whiskies of the world is, to say the least, encyclopedic.”

Among the 52 covetable lots featured in the live sale on June 26, a true highlight will be the offering of a complete series of Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars alongside all five chapters of the DCS Compendium. This marks a historic first, as a full Macallan Six Pillars set has never before been presented alongside the entire DCS Compendium collection in a single auction. The legendary partnership between The Macallan distillery and the esteemed French crystal maker Lalique resulted in six unique art pieces, each housing an exceptional whisky aged between 50 and 65 years. These individual masterpieces, with estimates ranging from $46,000 to $75,000, represent the pinnacle of both design and distillation. Complementing these are the DCS Compendium Chapters 1-5, launched in 2015 to honor the legacy of Malt Master David C. Stewart.

Each chapter comprises five single cask whiskies exploring unique themes, from “Distillery Style” to “Malt Master’s Indulgence.” With estimates between $34,000 and $50,000, this is the first time all five chapters will be offered together, providing a rare opportunity for those seeking a deep dive into Macallan’s unparalleled artistry. For those eager to expand their personal cellars, the “Bonhams Skinner: The Encyclopedic Whisky Collection: No Reserve Online Edition” will offer 250 lots from June 19 to 30, all without reserve. This online component ensures that a wider audience can partake in this unprecedented event, securing a piece of whisky history. “The Encyclopedic Whisky Collection” at Bonhams is more than an auction—it’s a celebration of the enduring allure of the world’s finest spirits.

Previously announced in April, the ultra-exclusive $80,000 ARC-54 and its Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar-inspired decanter quite literally closes the arc on a luxurious meeting of the minds between the famed automaker and the iconic Scotch producer. It also ups the ante from an equally covetable Bowmore x Aston Martin 2023 Masters’ Selection release, a 22-year-old Scotch. The ARC-54 release was first laid down in November 1968 and clocks in at a very approachable 44.3 percent ABV, but good luck getting your hands on a decanter.

The duo last teamed up on an elusive 52-year Scotch in an equally thrilling decanter, one that went for a princely $75,000. As luck would have it, Bowmore and Aston Martin’s ARC-54 is equally hard to come by, but an exclusive New York City tasting at the well-appointed House of Sound unlocked its secrets for a select few journalists. The whisky is sumptuous and exceptional, with a rich and lingering finish touching on dark fruit and delicate spice and smoke. And yet, it’s also pleasantly floral, calling to mind a brisk Islay breeze.

Bowmore says its 130 limited-edition decanters bring together “the peak of luxury Scotch production and height of automotive design uniting in a feat of brilliance,” and reportedly a mere 10 editions are available in the U.S. market. The liquid within is certainly just as impressive, developed from a blend of 61.8% 2nd fill European Sherry Oak Butt liquid and 38.2% 3rd Fill American Oak Hogshead spirit that’s then aged for a further 15 months, a process that “encapsulates infinite layers of flavor,” Bowmore notes.

As to the striking decanter, it’s a work of art in its own right. Like the whisky within (billed by Bowmore as a “multi-dimensional flavor experience”) the Valkyrie is one of the rarest cars on the planet, extremely hard to find, often allocated well in advance and selling for a hefty price.

Aston Martin champions the partnership as an elegant fusion between a heralded modern automaker and a Scotch producer steeped in the ways of the past (in the best way possible). “Bowmore ARC-54 continues the cutting edge, technology-based collaboration between two exceptional brands that are steeped in heritage and tradition,” said Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer,” who added that the company employed “similar principles of materiality and fluid dynamics” in developing its exclusive decanter.

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The gravity of the moment, of bringing a 54-year-old Scotch to a fitting and sweeping conclusion, was not undertaken lightly, said Dr. Calum Fraser, Bowmore Chief Blender. “A Bowmore as exquisite and complex as this 54-year-old is a testament to the skills of our distillery team, but also the very embodiment of what can be achieved simply by slowing down, standing still and letting things unfold as they are destined to,” he said, noting that “this rare creation truly demonstrates just how Bowmore ages exceptionally over time, with unmatched precision and clarity.”

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Whiskies boasting a 54-year age statement are tough enough to come by in their own right, though the bar is continually being raised, particularly across the Scotch and Irish whiskey categories. And yet, even with a small and subtle taste, it’s clear that the swan song (for now) of the Bowmore and Aston Martin partnership carves out a remarkable place of its own.

During Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix weekend, Glenfiddich hosted an exclusive tasting at The Mandarin Oriental Residences to commemorate the Scotch whisky brand’s ongoing partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team. The event showcased the distiller’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation, principles it says are shared with the brand of high-performance racing exemplified by the world’s premiere motorsport series.

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a never-before-released Glenfiddich 23 Year Old, a single cask whisky distilled in 2001 that isn’t available for public purchase. A mere 100 bottles of the limited-edition spirit, which was aged in an Oloroso sherry cask, were produced. The nose is rife with aromas of toffee, creamy sweetness, and sherry, with hints of spicy oak, toasted almonds, and sun-dried raisins, while the palate features sherbet spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg that give way to a lingering, spicy finish.

The expression served as a symbol of Glenfiddich’s approach to reimagining the possibilities of Scotch whisky, much like the brand’s collaboration with Aston Martin F1, which embodies leadership at the intersection of speed, precision, and luxury. Both the whisky and the event reflected Glenfiddich’s ethos: that time, patience, and a trailblazing approach are essential ingredients in crafting exceptional spirits, a philosophy shared with the relentless innovation driving both motorsport and whisky making.

Attendees including actors Ian Bohen (Yellowstone) and Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois), Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition model Nicole Williams English, Aston Martin F1 driver ambassador Jessica Hawkins, and influencer and investor Hannah Bronfman also got the chance to try a dram of Glenfiddich 50 Year Old. This also exceedingly rare (but technically available) whisky is characterized by notes of Madeira cake, muscovado sugar, and petrichor, followed by a smooth oak and vanilla finish. A member of Glenfiddich’s Time:Reimagined Series, this expression embodies what the brand refers to as “Simultaneous Time,” exploring the parallel and complex conditions that have influenced the liquid.

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The tasting was an elegant preamble to the Miami Grand Prix, which saw Oscar Piastri take an early lead in the contest for F1’s 2025 Drivers’ Championship with a brilliant victory—his third podium-topping performance in a row and fourth this year. Next up, the teams head to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix on May 18, which will mark seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton’s first home race with Ferrari.

“What you must remember is that this is no ordinary whisky. In fact, even for [The Dalmore Master Whisky Maker] Gregg Glass and I, it is special, unlike anything we have done before,” Richard Paterson OBE testifies to Maxim with great solemnity. The Dalmore Master Distiller speaks of one of the most coveted and unique whiskys the distinguished house has ever bottled: The Dalmore Luminary No.3, The Rare, aged 52 Years. 

The Luminary series was created by the Northern Highlands distillery with a quite unique manifesto in mind: to explore the link between whiskey and architectural design. Specifically to recognize the artistry of whisky making as a balance between creative flair and technical expertise – dual tenants also recognized in the study of architecture. 

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So for this third iteration of the Luminary they once again connected with a stellar architect, Ben Dobbin — who Paterson calls a friend and a partner “in the truest sense of the word.” One of the two bottles of this unicorn single malt will be auctioned at Sotheby’s to benefit Scotland’s premier Design Museum the V&A Dundee; the other will be stored in the vaults of their Alness, Scotland distillery. 

Notably, the V&A Dundee was founded by Kengo Kuma, collaborator for The Dalmore’s inaugural Luminary No.1 release. Luminary No.2 partnered with none other than Melodie Leung, Director at the world renown Zaha Hadid Architects. Dobbin, Senior Partner at Foster + Partner and credited with leading the design of the iconic Apple Park project in Cupertino, California, completes a Holy Architecture Trinity in the Luminary series. 

“Gregg and I asked Ben about his life, family, childhood, favorite places in England, and then of course in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he has his wonderful family, and his incredible success as an architect,” Paterson shares. “For each of us, we had an experience in creating this whisky that we will treasure. The conversation we had with Ben led to a vision, a creative sense of what this whisky could be.”

While Paterson joined The Dalmore in 1970, the esteemed Master Distiller took over duties from Colonel Hector ‘HAC’ Mackenzie in 1988 as the distillery’s new custodian, and now plays Yoda to Gregg Glass’ Luke Skywalker. Glass is ordained to continue the unbroken chain of visionary whisky makers helming The Dalmore since its founding near Loch Morie, Scotland in 1839. As Glass was also recently awarded Master Distiller of the Year 2023 at the prestigious Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards, its clear the pedigree continues. 

To create Luminary No.3 The Rare, The Dalmore carefully selected parcels of super rare, highly aged single malts stored in their rick houses under the care of Blend Controller Margaret Nicol. “We explored what we had laid down at The Dalmore, in our warehouses, and we identified the right casks from which to create our whisky – a first iteration,” Paterson explains. “Ben, Gregg and I then assessed many many samples, and adjusted the recipe each time.”

After aging more than a half-century in ex-bourbon American White Oak, the team second-finished their single malt in one cask each of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine, Gonzalez Byass Pedro Ximenez 40 Year-Old Sherry, and a vintage 1980 Calvados cask, along with a cask each that rested in Graham’s Port Lodge 1940 Colheita Port and Tawny Port. In total a decadent, unmatched collection of rare wood and single malt ingredients to play with.

“The Rare Aged 52 Years, for me personally, it is like a rare diamond: you must take time to enjoy it,” Paterson shares when asked what the lucky buyer of the Luminary No.3 The Rare can expect when they pour a dram. “On the nose, baked apples, sweet honey and soft spice. As you sip, deep rich caramel, freshly baked apple crumble alongside our signature style of orange, chocolate and warming spice. As you let it go down, the finish elegantly washes over you: delicate vanilla, tarte tatin, licorice balanced with marzipan,” he continues. “Beautiful.”

With a whisky as exquisite as Luminary No.3 The Rare, Aged 52-Year Old, especially one married to the world of architecture, the vessel best match the nectar inside. There are no shortages of scotch single malts leaning heavily into the aesthetic world, where the package design boggles the mind via its creative force. There’s Bowmore’s carbon fiber-topped Aston Martin collab ARC-52: The Mokume Edition, and The Macallan’s partnerships with peerless artists such as Sir Peter Blake, the man credited with designing The Beatles’ iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. Of course there are the previous Luminary series, which themselves have boasted breathtaking designs. 

For his entry into the Luminary, Dobbin penned a bronze pedestal for his bottle that aims to be a physical manifestation of time itself. His sculpture’s elegant spoke-like rods draw in and lean out, creating both tension and balance, with the bottle appearing as if suspended in space. “So too was true for the whisky,” The Dalmore’s Master Distiller offers.

“Make no mistake – this needed to be right – which is why we carefully considered each cask, the influence of each parcel, sourced exclusively from our friends at a number of wineries,” Paterson continues. “In time, we came close until we finally realized our vision. A masterpiece that reflected what Ben had hoped this whisky could be.”

For everyone who does not win the Sotheby’s auction of the Luminary No.3 The Rare, Aged 52-Year Old, The Dalmore will release Luminary The Collectible 2025 Edition 17-year-old single malt as compensation. With 20,000 bottles to be sold at an SRP of $400, The Luminary The Collectible 2025 Edition should be considerably easier to attain. 

Follow Deputy Editor Nicolas Stecher on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday. 

Bowmore is partnering with legendary automaker Aston Martin for a new ultra-aged scotch whisky. ARC-54 is a 54-year-old Islay single malt presented in a Valkyrie-inspired decanter. The uniquely aerodynamic design of the decanter is inspired by Aston Martin’s Valkyrie model, but it’s what’s under the “hood” that’s really impressive about this whisky. ARC-54 was distilled in November of 1968, and those 54 years of maturation were “latterly spent in a second fill European oak sherry butt and third fill American oak hogshead,” after which time the two liquids were married for 15 months. 

This is the second and also final release in the Bowmore Aston Martin ARC series. The first release was a 52-year-old single malt announced in 2022 with a $75,000 price point. This older successor unfortunately demands a higher price—an MSRP of $80,000, specifically, making it one of the more expensive 50-year-old whiskies to come out of Scotland in the last few years. 

Tasting notes from the distillery describe a golden liquid with initial aromas of syrupy vanilla, buttery shortbread, and tropical fruits, which later give way to toasted oak, eucalyptus, and candied walnuts. On the palate, ARC-54 starts with citrus and green apple before salted caramel and warming spices and a final waft of peat. At 88.6 proof, it’s definitely on the lower end of the alcohol spectrum but with enough strength to maintain the structure of something this old. 

Only 130 of the decanters are being made available globally, so the supply is small. It’s also not lost on us that completing the “collection” will cost in excess of $150,000 at this point, so perhaps if you’re looking for an Aston-approved whisky, you’d be better served tracking down a bottle of this 22-year-old release Bowmore did in 2023. At $450 it’s certainly more affordable, and leaves you $150,000 for the Aston Martin savings fund.

G. Clay Whittaker is a Maxim contributor covering lifestyle, whiskey, cannabis and travel. His work has also appeared in Bon Appetit, Men’s Journal, Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and Esquire. Subscribe to his newsletter Drinks & Stuff for perspectives on drinks, and stuff.