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THE SPIRIT OF CAPTIVATION
Imagine, for a moment, that the year is 1968. On the weather-worn coast of Islay, the day is deepening into darkness as Bowmore’s historic distillery welcomes the onset of another winter. Somewhere within the ancient stone walls of our legendary No1 Vaults, exceptional casks are being filled with spirit. As days, months, and decades pass, that spirit will absorb the characteristics of our distinct island home until, more than half a century later, it will have matured into a masterpiece of multidimensional complexity.
Among the oldest single malt whiskies ever to be released, this exceptionally rare creation will be unveiled to the world on the 2nd April. It’s the high watermark of the whisky-making philosophy that underpins everything we do at Bowmore, and we’re very much looking forward to introducing you.
A moment in Islay history
This breathtakingly rare whisky has its origins in a significant era for distilling at Bowmore, when the distillery was being modernised by then-owners the Morrison family in the 1960s. Its limitless flavour profile is an embodiment of this history, with a tropical fruit intensity that’s renowned as a hallmark of 1960s Bowmore distilling, considered by many to be a golden era.
At Bowmore, every stage of our work is defined with intent, and every detail calibrated to perfection. And yet, the beauty of our craft is that there is always an element of mystery, as the natural environment flows through and within the cask over decades.
Our exquisite new whisky stands as a living embodiment of the enigmatic beauty of this whisky-making alchemy, having been matured for more than half a century within the storied walls of No1 Vaults, one of the oldest Scotch maturation warehouses.
The result is a masterpiece – and a new pinnacle. Aged for 54 years in a second fill European oak Oloroso sherry butt and refill American Oak Hogshead before being united for 15 months, it’s imbued with hues of spun gold that intrigue the eye. To breathe in, a world of promise begins to open up – including vanilla and notes of tropical fruit – before it reveals its richly expressive and multidimensional character to taste, finishing with a gentle whisper of peat smoke. To know more about this expressive spirit, follow the journey to 2nd April and beyond.
The question of how to embody so much time, flavour and craft in a single creation requires a triumph of design and production. The decanter for this whisky is just that. Creating the form was an almost impossible feat in the glass manufacturing process alone. The result is a shape that contains contrasts. It evokes the flow of air, as well as a sense of stillness and calm. It honours generations of craft, while providing a futuristic home for a Scotch whisky that’s aged to perfection.
With each sip, 54 years are captured in a single moment. The experience connects the 1960s – the era that gave us the legendary Black Bowmore – with today, and with the future. The attention to detail required to appreciate its complexity brings with it sensory immersion, and the promise of hidden depths to explore. History and the present, intertwined in a moment of total sensorial captivation.
Ordinarily, the modern world doesn’t stop. With this expression, it does.
Two Legacies, One Vision
This release is an evolution of our connection with Aston Martin. Our partnership is rooted in a shared passion for heritage and craft, as well as an unwavering belief in the power of creativity and innovation.
Together, we broke new ground with the release of Bowmore ARC-52 – a spectacular testament to the ingenuity and vision of our distillers and Aston Martin engineers and designers.
Today, we are heralding the arrival of a new icon. This multidimensional single malt is an opportunity to experience layers of infinite flavour, in a decanter that seems to have been shaped by the fluid movement of air. Viewed from certain angles, the decanter’s shape also evokes the smooth lines of the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a silhouette designed for air to move around and through it.
This graceful yet powerful design draws on a delicate balance, inspired by both natural processes and technical precision, uniting effortlessly in a sense of flow.
History was made with the ARC-52. Now, it’s time to write the next chapter in that story – and to continue our journey through the arc of time.
On April 2nd, a new pinnacle of Bowmore craft will be unveiled.
Please drink responsibly and never drink and drive.
