Black Bowmore 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Bowmore and Aston Martin unveil the Black Bowmore 1964 DB5

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Today, 6 August 2020, Bowmore Islay Single Malt Whisky unveiled the first creative result of their collaboration with luxury car manufacturers, Aston Martin – The Black Bowmore DB5 1964.

Four years since the last Black Bowmore release ‘The Last Cask’ (at the time said to be the final release of the inimitable series) and 17 years since the original Black Bowmore 1964 1st Edition hit the shelves at Oddbins in 1993 for £120, a princely fee in the early 1990s for a single malt, Bowmore have announced a new edition from the unrepeatable parcel of vintage 1964 sherry casks.

The 31 year old whisky has been aged in a walnut brown oloroso Sherry butt and drawn into just 27 bottles at an ABV of 49.6%. It is said to be a celebration of time; a definitive moment in history for both Bowmore and Aston Martin, celebrating their shared values and passions whilst showcasing great innovation and invention. This bottle will no doubt join its predecessors in the legendary hall of fame as part of an iconic series that define the art of whisky.

The vessel in which this legendary single malt is housed is equally as much a work of art; crafted using hand-blown glass and a genuine DB5 piston head by Glasstorm to create a bold and contemporary bottle reflective of the attention to detail and skill which defines their partnership.

1964 represents undoubtedly the most memorable of all vintages in Bowmore’s illustrious past and the unrepeatable liquid which hailed from this year is unquestionably the most sought-after and aspired for amongst whisky collectors from every corner of the globe. A significant point for Bowmore and their single malt production, 1964 saw the arrival of a new boiler which ushered the distillery into the modern age of distilling as coal fires made way for steam in heating the stills. This paved a legendary period for Bowmore in the 1960s, with 1964 being the first distillation of its kind producing spirit which was to become the iconic Black Bowmore.

David Turner, Distillery Manager at Bowmore commented “1964 represents a significant date in the modern history of the distillery. Not only a key moment in how we distilled our spirit, but perhaps even more significant as this very spirit went onto create Black Bowmore. These defining moments are fundamental to the history of Bowmore. This collaboration with Aston Martin has allowed us to once again showcase this iconic single malt in the most incredible way.”

Bringing together a shared history of creativity and craftsmanship, Bowmore and Aston Martin have united for this beautifully inspired creation to share in their craftsmanship, acknowledge the era of evolution that defined their futures and create a lasting legacy. 

Of the 27 bottles in existence, only 25 will be available for sale from late Autumn at the price tag of GBP £50,000. With only 25 available of this limited edition Bowmore you will have to be quick off the mark to compete against the number of eagle-eyed collectors who will be vying to acquire this crowning piece for their collection. 

 

BLACK BOWMORE 1964 DB5 TASTING NOTES

On the eye:

Deep obsidian black

Breathe in:

Layers of ripe exotic fruits and creme caramel. As time moves on soft tobacco smoke, aromatic orange peel and rich black cherry come to the fore.

Taste:

Intense flavours of mango, passion fruit and acacia honey interwoven with a powerful combination of coffee and tobacco smoke

Savour:

A wonderfully long and decadent finish with tropical fruits and spice, defining over 240 years of craftsmanship

 

Those of you with a love for luxury cars and Scotch whisky keep your eyes peeled as this is only the start of a very exciting partnership between the two extraordinary brands, as they plan to unveil a series of further collaborative projects, ranging from exceptional lifestyle experiences to design-led product initiatives.