Bowmore Scotch whisky and Aston Martin have introduced the second, and final, release in their groundbreaking ARC Series.
The striking Bowmore ARC-54 creation unites a rare 54yo whisky from Bowmore distillery with a distinctive hand-blown decanter inspired by the cutting-edge design of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar.
Distilled in November 1968, this rare whisky is the culmination of 54 years of maturation, latterly spent in a second-fill European oak sherry butt and third-fill American oak hogshead. Inspired by the Golden Ratio, the 61.8% European oak aged spirit and 38.2% American oak aged spirit are finally unified for 15 months. The liquid looks like "spun gold", according to the tasting notes.
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| Bowmore ARC-54 |
Each hand-blown decanter takes inspiration from the F1-inspired aerodynamic exterior of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, including the full-length Venturi tunnels that contribute to around 1,100 kilograms of downforce, and the natural fluid forms of the terroir of Islay in Scotland.
Inspired by the design direction and principles of an Aston Martin, Bowmore ARC-54 is sculpted with precision, creating a striking sense of flow in its lines and styling. The shape is defined by these fluid aerodynamics and showcases the shared philosophy through the diffuser-inspired glass sculpture to enhance the flowing reflections of the whisky.
As befits its ultra-exclusive positioning, only 130 decanters of Bowmore ARC-54 (44.3%abv) are available globally. Underlining the importance of the channel to the Suntory Global Spirits portfolio, an allocation of 20 has been set aside for selected key travel retail partners, starting with Dubai Duty Free in May.
The past year has marked a milestone for Bowmore in global travel retail, underpinned by the reveal of a new brand world and visual identity. This transformational style was introduced through the Bowmore Appellations Collection travel retail exclusive whisky range, which made its debut in October 2024.
A pinnacle of craftsmanship
“Bowmore ARC-54 represents a pinnacle of craftsmanship, and we are thrilled to present this extraordinary release to discerning travellers in select locations through our valued travel retail partners,” said Nandini Valio, Suntory Global Spirits Senior Marketing Director for Global Travel Retail.
“It is absolutely fitting that Bowmore ARC-54 will be highlighted in the travel retail channel, which is a vital global stage for showcasing Bowmore’s prestige portfolio. The Bowmore Appellations Collection was the first chapter in a new story of elevation and premiumisation for the brand. The unveiling of ARC-54 builds on that momentum and further extends our legacy within the world of rare and remarkable whiskies.”
Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin, enthused: “Bowmore ARC-54 continues the cutting-edge, technology-based collaboration between two exceptional brands that are steeped in heritage and tradition. It embodies the innovative thinking that we apply to Valkyrie and Valhalla, our mid-engined sports cars. A truly creative collaboration."
