For over 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Aston Martin has been making exceptional automobiles for the most discerning customers since 1913. Both companies are shaped by decades of skill and tradition, but also motivated by what's to come – something inherently evident in their latest collaboration: the ultra-exclusive Bowmore ARC-52.
With only 100 set for release across the globe, the Bowmore ARC-52 is a striking decanter containing one of the whisky distiller's oldest-ever expressions. A project defined by the search for balance between the old world and the new, the decanter itself is created using the same mix of time-honoured and modern principles that go into every new Aston Martin: both 3D-printing and hand-crafted clay modelling have been used to realise its undulating form. The piece also utilises a meticulously-engineered, bespoke magnetic key which releases the striking aluminium top as if by magic, whilst maintaining the sleek, clean lines of the hand-blown glass vessel.
The expression contained within the decanter has been matured for a remarkable 52 years in a marriage of two cask styles in two exact parts: 50 per cent from an American Oak Hogshead and the other 50 per cent from a European Oak Butt. Creamy and fruity aromas of vanilla and custard cream are carefully balanced with peach, pear, kumquat, mandarin, a hint of guava with herbal notes of fresh mint and eucalyptus. On the palate this continues to evolve as flavours of green grapes, peach melba, clementine and lime zest merge seamlessly alongside nutty notes of almond and hazelnuts, while tobacco leaves give way to a subtle peat ash and buttery character.
"ARC–52 sits at the apex of our partnership, truly showing the depth of what we can create collaboratively," says Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin. "We set out to produce something which hasn’t been seen before, capturing our uncompromised design principles and also the magnificence of the whisky. I believe that what we have created is truly a piece of sculpture. Taking balance as the most important factor, as we do in designing Aston Martin cars, we’ve harnessed heritage and innovation in perfect balance. For me there is just so much to discover with this whisky as it embodies so much hidden knowledge and even the colour looks like it’s been created by time."
“A Bowmore as exquisite and complex as this 52-year-old is testament to the skills of our distillery team and their commitment to optimising the time spent in cask to create such an incredible spirit," says Ron Welsh, Master Blender at Bowmore. "With ARC-52 the complexity of this single malt is unquestionable and to achieve such perfect balance not only defines its physical form but unites beautifully in every drop of this stunning whisky.
"Working with Aston Martin remains hugely rewarding and fascinating for me. It continues to inspire and show us a different way of working, with absolute precision, and has allowed us to create what, in my opinion, is the best Bowmore over 50 years old that I’ve ever tasted.”
Just 100 decanters of ARC-52 will be available in key global markets from late summer 2022 including the UK, Germany, Netherlands, the USA, Canada, China, Singapore, and at selected Global Travel Retail, at an RSP of US$75,000 (ex VAT/duty). bowmore.com
