While artworks find their place in museums and galleries, some make their way into cocktails. Known for their whisky masterpieces over the past 180 years, The Dalmore is bringing back Curated Excellence in collaboration with Mayfair’s top bars from 10-14 October, coinciding with London’s annual Frieze Art Fair. Taking place at The Connaught, The Dorchester, Sketch, and The Beaumont, world-leading mixologists will craft—or should I say, paint—limited edition cocktails inspired by the art collections housed in these venues. This collaboration will surely impress every art and whisky lover alike.
Curated Excellence acts as an extension to Dalmore’s partnership with Mayfair’s No.9 Cork Street for Frieze week, where the brand will present a composition on West End Gallery Night— 10 October—to celebrate the connection between the worlds of whisky, craft and design.
Founded in 1839 along the banks of Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, each bottle of The Dalmore features a 12-point silver stag, bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. This stag became the brand’s emblem when the clan’s descendants took over the distillery in 1878. Renowned for its distinctive array of stills, the Dalmore distillery produces a New Make spirit of exceptional character and richness—full-bodied and fruity. Matured inside the world’s rarest casks from fine wineries and bodegas, Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and his team ensure the spirit rests for long periods until the right balance of flavours is achieved.
The Red Room at The Connaught
A striking and intimate bar, Red Room takes its name from all the red-hued artworks adorning its walls, featuring pieces by renowned artists like Louise Bourgeois, Jenny Holzer, and Tia-Thuy Nguyen. Not only do these artworks add warmth to the bar, but they also celebrate The Connaught’s commitment to fine art and craftsmanship.
Made from Dalmore Luminary No.2, Moon Garden draws inspiration from “The Garden of Illusion” by Tom Stuart-Smith, an installation evoking a landscape that blends light and water with a brass-cast tree. Aged for 16 years, the whisky base is part of Dalmore’s limited-edition releases, matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks. Crafted in collaboration between the brand’s Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects, this single malt is finished in Graham’s Tawny Port pipes and 30-year-old Apostoles Sherry casks, with a subtle touch of exceptionally rare peated Dalmore. For added depth and earthiness, Red Room enhanced the base spirit with Amontillado Sherry and Shiitake Mushroom syrup, finishing it with a spray of Green Mandarin. Served with an ice ball, the cocktail comes in an R.B. Goblet-Prism glass using the stirred technique.
Also inspired by the artworks in the Red Room, Fall Impression was specially crafted for Frieze Week, featuring Dalmore 12-year-old—a Highland single malt with soft vanilla and honey notes, with a portion of it transferred into sherry casks that previously held rare and aged Oloroso sherry for enhanced character. Like Moon Garden, the cocktail is made using the stirred method and is paired with Moscato D’Asti concentration, as well as Galangal and Abete Bianco for a balanced sweet-spicy kick. A spray of Orange Flower adds aroma to the drink, while garnished chocolate leaves finish it elegantly.
The Artists’ Bar at The Dorchester
Given The Dorchester’s status as a cultural landmark where figures from the art, film, and fashion worlds all gathered and mingled, The Artists’ Bar pays homage to the hotel’s artistic legacy with mirrored surfaces and custom pieces from contemporary artists filling the space.
Inspired by Amy Judd’s elegant artwork in the bar, Winter Blossom—also crafted from Dalmore 12YO—mixes lychee liqueur with two drops of lavender bitters, London Essence Peach and Jasmine soda for a floral and aromatic whisky cocktail. The bar’s other offering is Cristal, specifically made to celebrate the opulence of Lalique glass interiors and Dalmore’s finest spirits. An Old Fashioned-style creation, Cristal combines Dalmore Luminary No. 2 with a touch of honey syrup and homemade tea tincture.
Sketch
With Dalmore 12YO as a base, I Shine, Not Burn is stirred over a block of ice in a rocks glass and combines Mandarin Napoleon, Indian Spiced Droplets, Orange Shrub, and an Orange Penny garnish—a citrus-spicy delight. Not only does the cocktail stand out for its complexity, but it also symbolises Colin of Kintail’s legendary tale, a hero who saved King Alexander from a charging stag—an act commemorated by the stag’s head on every Dalmore bottle. Bold and symbolic, this creation pays tribute to standing up for what is right.
Le Magritte Bar at The Beaumont
During the 1920s, traditions from American bars became legendary across London and Paris, embodying the spirit of glamour and sophistication of the era. This iconic period attracted a host of notable figures, from writers to entertainers, who flocked to these establishments for their vibrant atmosphere and expertly crafted drinks. Specialising in bourbons, American whiskies, and classic cocktails, La Magritte Bar continues this legacy of timeless elegance that defined the 1920s. With its walnut-panelled interior and curated selection of fine spirits, the bar provides an ideal backdrop for enjoying expertly shaken or stirred cocktails, all while celebrating the art of mixology.
Inspired by René Magritte’s surrealist painting Discovery (1948), La Magritte Bar’s cocktail shares its name, reflecting the artwork’s mysterious style as it invites people to savour its depth with layered flavours. Aged for 15 years, it features Dalmore 15, a single malt finished in various styles of sherry casks, including Apostoles, Amoroso, and Matusalem Oloroso. Additionally, the drink incorporates coffee liqueur, orange drops, and chocolate bitters, deepening it with sweet, citrus, and cocoa notes. Stirred and served over ice, Discovery is garnished with a chocolate coin, making it look top-notch.
For more information on how The Dalmore is setting the standard for artistry in whisky-making, visit www.thedalmore.com
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All imagery courtesy of The Dalmore.