Past meets present – Islay-based Bowmore teamed up with luxury automaker Aston Martin to unveil their most exclusive collaboration – ARC-52, a striking decanter that contains one of the oldest Bowmore whiskies ever released. The ”futuristic vessel” designed by Aston Martin using the latest 3D printing technology features smooth lines and impressive curves and has been designed to look as if it is in perpetual motion.
“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.” said, Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer, Aston Martin. Taking balance as the most important factor, as we do in designing Aston Martin cars, we’ve harnessed heritage and innovation in perfect balance. ”
Ron Welsh, Master Blender, Bowmore, said “ 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.”
Matured for a remarkable 52 years in both European sherry butt casks and ex-Bourbon American Oak Hogshead casks the resulting whisky was bottled at 42.3 percent ABV, and has notes of:
Nose: 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.
Taste: 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.
Priced at a suggested retail price of $75,000 this stunning bottle Arc-52 is limited to just 100 decanters and will surely become a collector’s item. This will be an investment for some, artwork for others. Any takers?
Images Courtesy of Bowmore
