Aston Martin x Bowmore ARC-52 Scotch Whisky:
There are commercially-minded brand collaborations, and then there are special projects between two bands that just ooze class and elegance. And we feel that the partnership between the 240-year-old Scottish Whiskey house Bowmore and pedigreed automotive brand Aston Martin is definitely in the second camp. The result is what they are calling Aston Martin x Bowmore ARC-52, a limited-edition run of 100 decanters engineered by Aston Martin to provide the perfect showcase of the distillery’s rare 1968 single malt.
The design of the decanter is the vision of Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, with its smooth, futuristic lines and clean curvature, the product of the same steady-handed craftsmanship and 3D printing and clay modeling techniques that are used to develop the marque’s legendary cars.
Reichman comments,
“ARC–52 sits at the apex of our partnership, truly showing the depth of what we can create collaboratively. 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, even the colour looks like it’s been created by time.”
Bowmore’s master blender Ron Welsh describes the dram as having nose notes of vanilla and custard cream, a sweet fruity and citric taste with the flavour of green grapes and peach melba, concluded with a herbal and medicinal finish. He comments, “A Bowmore as exquisite and complex as this 52 year old is testament to the skills of our distillery team and their commitment to optimizing the time spent in cask to create such an incredible spirit. 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.”
Only 100 bottles will be made available, matured in both European sherry butt casks and ex-Bourbon American Oak Hogshead casks. Of those 100 bottles, 50 will go on sale summer 2022, while the other 50 will be made available to purchase from early 2023 in order to ensure high quality and craftsmanship for each vessel, which will retail from 65,000 GBP.
