Bowmore’s ARC-52 Decanter Raises Funds for Islay Charities

A one-of-a-kind “Mokume Edition” ARC-52 Bowmore single malt brought a high bid of $283,988 (Including taxes) at Sotheby’s in London Friday. The decanter designed by… Read More

A one-of-a-kind “Mokume Edition” ARC-52 Bowmore single malt brought a high bid of $283,988 (Including taxes) at Sotheby’s in London Friday. The decanter designed by Aston Martin comes with a special experience at the distillery on Islay, and proceeds from the auction will benefit the Islay community. 

“Over the next couple of months, what we’ll work on is where these funds go and what causes they go towards, because it is about giving back,” Beam Suntory Global Private Client Director Daryl Haldane told WhiskyCast in an interview for this week’s episode. 

The concept for the ARC-52 decanter comes from the Japanese metalworking technique “Mokume-Gane” which produces a mixed-metal laminate with layered patterns. Aston Martin’s designers recreated the technique using carbon fiber for the top of the decanter, which resembles the black rocks of Loch Indall on Islay near the distillery. The whisky inside the decanter came from a special blend of 1960’s-vintage Bowmore casks created by Master Blender Ron Welsh. 

The winning bidder was not identified.

Published May 28, 2023

Bowmore’s ARC-52 Decanter Raises Funds for Islay Charities

A one-of-a-kind “Mokume Edition” ARC-52 Bowmore single malt brought a high bid of $283,988 (Including taxes) at Sotheby’s in London Friday. The decanter designed by… Read More

A one-of-a-kind “Mokume Edition” ARC-52 Bowmore single malt brought a high bid of $283,988 (Including taxes) at Sotheby’s in London Friday. The decanter designed by Aston Martin comes with a special experience at the distillery on Islay, and proceeds from the auction will benefit the Islay community. 

“Over the next couple of months, what we’ll work on is where these funds go and what causes they go towards, because it is about giving back,” Beam Suntory Global Private Client Director Daryl Haldane told WhiskyCast in an interview for this week’s episode. 

The concept for the ARC-52 decanter comes from the Japanese metalworking technique “Mokume-Gane” which produces a mixed-metal laminate with layered patterns. Aston Martin’s designers recreated the technique using carbon fiber for the top of the decanter, which resembles the black rocks of Loch Indall on Islay near the distillery. The whisky inside the decanter came from a special blend of 1960’s-vintage Bowmore casks created by Master Blender Ron Welsh. 

The winning bidder was not identified.

Published May 28, 2023

Another New Distillery for Campbeltown

At one time, Campbeltown was Scotland’s whisky capital with more than 35 distilleries. That number dwindled to just three over the years, but now, planning… Read More

At one time, Campbeltown was Scotland’s whisky capital with more than 35 distilleries. That number dwindled to just three over the years, but now, planning approval is being sought for up to three new distilleries. The latest project is the Witchburn Distillery to be built on the former RAF Macrihanish site, and we’ll talk with project manager and master distiller Andrew Nairn on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also hear from Beam Suntory’s Daryl Haldane following the auction Friday of a one-of-a-kind Bowmore single malt to raise money for projects on Islay. In the news, Stirling Council has rejected plans for the proposed Wolfcraig Distillery for a second time, Scotch Whisky Association leaders continue their push to reserve an excise duty hike planned for August, and Jack Daniel’s lost a trademark infringement case in the U.K. to a pair of comedians.

Episode 1006: May 28, 2023

Links: Witchburn Distillery | Bowmore | Scotch Whisky Association | Jack Daniel’s | Wolfie’s Whisky | Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon | Suntory Whisky | Glengoyne | Glencadam | Chattanooga Whiskey | Hirsch Whiskey | Dràm Mòr | Rabbit Hole Distillery | New Riff Distilling | Holladay Distillery

Another New Distillery for Campbeltown

At one time, Campbeltown was Scotland’s whisky capital with more than 35 distilleries. That number dwindled to just three over the years, but now, planning… Read More

At one time, Campbeltown was Scotland’s whisky capital with more than 35 distilleries. That number dwindled to just three over the years, but now, planning approval is being sought for up to three new distilleries. The latest project is the Witchburn Distillery to be built on the former RAF Macrihanish site, and we’ll talk with project manager and master distiller Andrew Nairn on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. We’ll also hear from Beam Suntory’s Daryl Haldane following the auction Friday of a one-of-a-kind Bowmore single malt to raise money for projects on Islay. In the news, Stirling Council has rejected plans for the proposed Wolfcraig Distillery for a second time, Scotch Whisky Association leaders continue their push to reserve an excise duty hike planned for August, and Jack Daniel’s lost a trademark infringement case in the U.K. to a pair of comedians.

Episode 1006: May 28, 2023

Links: Witchburn Distillery | Bowmore | Scotch Whisky Association | Jack Daniel’s | Wolfie’s Whisky | Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon | Suntory Whisky | Glengoyne | Glencadam | Chattanooga Whiskey | Hirsch Whiskey | Dràm Mòr | Rabbit Hole Distillery | New Riff Distilling | Holladay Distillery

Bowmore Reveals Second Release Of Aston Martin Collab

Bowmore has released a 22-year-old single malt – the second whisky of their collaboration with Aston Martin in the Master’s Selection series. Bowmore Master’s Selection Edition 2 22-year-old single malt was matured in both American oak hogsheads and sherry butts, bottled at 51.5% alcohol by volume [103 proof] and is said to contain notes of […]

Bowmore has released a 22-year-old single malt – the second whisky of their collaboration with Aston Martin in the Master’s Selection series.

Bowmore Master’s Selection Edition 2 22-year-old single malt was matured in both American oak hogsheads and sherry butts, bottled at 51.5% alcohol by volume [103 proof] and is said to contain notes of apricot, clove, honey and peach.

Bowmore Masters’ Selection Edition 2 is being made available in Canada, China, Germany, the UK and the USA for $450 per bottle.

Aston Martin Collabs With Bowmore To Produce 52-Year-Old Single Malt

Aston Martin and Islay-based distillery, Bowmore, have collaborated to produce a 52-year-old single malt – called Bowmore ARC-52 – in a limited edition ‘futuristic vessel’. Bowmore ARC-52 has matured for 52 years in a pair of casks – 50% in American Oak Hogshead and 50% in a European Oak Butt – and is said to […]

Aston Martin and Islay-based distillery, Bowmore, have collaborated to produce a 52-year-old single malt – called Bowmore ARC-52 – in a limited edition ‘futuristic vessel’.

Bowmore ARC-52 has matured for 52 years in a pair of casks – 50% in American Oak Hogshead and 50% in a European Oak Butt – and is said to contain notes of almond, hazelnut, lime, orange and vanilla.

The “futuristic vessel” is designed by Aston Martin and is presented in a box opened by a magnetic key.

Only 100 bottles of Bowmore ARC-52 are being made available – 50 in late summer 2022 and the other 50 in early 2023 – for $75,000 per bottle in Canada, China, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, the UK and the USA.

Got an Extra $75,000… Beam Suntory brand Bowmore has the Whiskey for You!

Beam Suntory brand Bowmore has announced the release of 100 decanters of a 52 year single malt called Bowmore ARC-52 that will be available in select global markets and Global Travel Retail for a price of $75,000. Of note, the decanter is designed by&n…

Beam Suntory brand Bowmore has announced the release of 100 decanters of a 52 year single malt called Bowmore ARC-52 that will be available in select global markets and Global Travel Retail for a price of $75,000. Of note, the decanter is designed by ultra-luxury British brand, Aston Martin.

Ron Welsh, Master Blender of Bowmore says of this release:
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.  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.

As mentioned, the decanter is designed by Aston Martin and attempts to convey 'travelling in two directions at the same time, exploring the ideals of balance, capturing perfect stability combined with definitive intensity.' 

In terms of the whiskey, it is a blend of two cask styles, 50% for an American Oak Hogshead and 50% from a European Oak Butt and has been matured a whopping 52 years (barreled in 1968!!!). It comes in at 42.3% alcohol (84.6 proof) and carries the following tasting notes:

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 and peach melba, clementine, lime zest merge seamlessly alongside nutty notes of almond and hazelnuts, whilst tobacco leaves give way to a subtle peat ash and buttery character.

My Take

One of the favorite articles that I've written was the math behind the angel's share and how much bourbon evaporates over time. I only went up to 50 years because I couldn't imagine something being barreled longer than that, but here we are. Based on the math, there should be around 9.5 gallons left of the original 53 gallon barrel.  

Sadly, I don't have $75k sitting around to purchase this... maybe I can buy a pour... let's assume this is a 750ml bottle (volume wasn't listed in the release)... the average pour is 2 ounces, or 59.14ml. So for each bottle, we'll get 12 1/2 pours... or we can buy one at cost for the small price of $6,000. Sadly, I don't have an extra 6k sitting around either so this will have to be a hard pass for me. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 


Source: Beam Suntory

Bowmore Releases Aston Martin 21-Year-Old

Islay distillery Bowmore continues their collaboration with British automaker Aston Martin with the release of a 21-year-old single malt whisky called Bowmore Masters’ Selection [the result of a collaboration between Bowmore master whisky blender Ron Welsh and Aston Martin executive vice president and chief creative officer Marek Reichman]. Bowmore Masters’ Selection Aston Martin is a […]

Islay distillery Bowmore continues their collaboration with British automaker Aston Martin with the release of a 21-year-old single malt whisky called Bowmore Masters’ Selection [the result of a collaboration between Bowmore master whisky blender Ron Welsh and Aston Martin executive vice president and chief creative officer Marek Reichman].

Bowmore Masters’ Selection Aston Martin is a 61.8% blend of Bowmore whisky that was aged in first-fill Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks combined with a 38.2% blend of 35-year-old Bowmore whisky, bottled at 51.8% alcohol by volume [103.6 proof] and is said to contain notes of coconut, dark chocolate and vanilla.

Bowmore Masters’ Selection Aston Martin is being made available in Canada, China, Germany, the UK and the USA for $300 per bottle.

Inbox / The Week’s Whisky News (November 12, 2021)

Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky an…



Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/piece of news/PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. 
 
Here is the round-up of this week's news ...
 
________
 
 

Bowmore
The Islay distillery of Bowmore has announced a collaborative single malt with the super premium car brand of Aston Martin. The Bowmore x Aston Martin Masters Selection 21 years old has seen Bowmore's Master Blender and Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer work together to contruct a whisky using scientific and engineering principals. The result sees a base of 21 year old Bowmore used that has been matured in first-fill ex-Oloroso and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The remainder of the recipe consists of older Bowmore whiskies, some over 35 years of age. 
 
The Bowmore x Aston Martin Masters Selection 21 years old is bottled at 51.8% ABV and will be available through specialist and luxury retailers in selected world markets. These include Canada, China, Germany, the UK and USA. The price of each bottle will be £300/ $400 US.

 

Cotswolds
The award-winning Cotswolds distillery have announced their latest single malt whisky release - the Cotswolds Reserve. As with all bottlings from the English distillery, the whisky is made using 100% local barley. The spirit has been filled and matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine casks. These have then been combined in a ratio of 80% bourbon and 20% red wine cask to create the Cotswolds Reserve. It is bottled at 50% ABV and is both non chill-filtered and natural colour. The Cotswolds Reserve is available via www.cotswoldsdistillery.com and specialist whisky retailers. A bottle will cost £55.
 
"We are excited to launch this smooth and elegant whisky, which combines first-fill ex-bourbon and STR ex-red wine casks. We think Cotswolds Reserve is one of the most approachable whiskies we have ever produced."
Daniel Szor / Founder of Cotswolds.


Jameson
 

The leading Irish whiskey brand of Jameson has announced a rare older expression as a limited edition - the Jameson 21 years old. The new whiskey features spirit that was filled to cask at the turn of the 21st century. It is a combination of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, all produced at the Midleton distillery in Co. Cork. 
 
They have matured in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks for 18 years, before they were blended together and then re-casked into ex-bourbon barrels for a final three year period. The whiskey was then finally married together with a small amount of single pot still whiskey that had matured for 21 years in first-fill ex-Oloroso sherry butts.

The Jameson 21 years old is bottled at the natural cask strength of 57.2% ABV and will only be available via a ballot. There are just 2,301 bottles with each costing €310. The ballot closes to applications at 6pm GMT on Wednesday 17 November. To enter the ballot - click here.
 

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