Since 2020 Bowmore and Aston Martin have a partnership that involves creating exclusive limited editions, combining their focus for luxury and timeless design. It started with the DB5 Black Bowmore, bottled in a genuine piston. Another milestone was Bowmore ARC-52 presented in a futuristic decanter inspired by the diffusor of the Aston Martin Valkyrie.
Bowmore ARC-54 inspired by Aston Martin
Now there’s an older version in the same bizarrely beautiful bottle: Bowmore ARC-54. This unique 54 year old whisky was distilled in November 1968. The majority of the spirit aged in a second-fill European oak sherry butt, the rest in a third-fill American oak hogshead. These were married together for a final 15 months. I guess this marrying period wasn’t counted, since 1968 + 54 = 2022.
In the run-up to tasting ARC-54 I got to try the new Sherry Oak series as well. The 15 Years, 18 Years and 21 Years are left a really good impression. The sherry influence is quite balanced – only the 21 Year Old is perhaps a tad too much in terms of syrupy PX notes. I’m particularly delighted that Bowmore managed to bring back some of their tropical fruitiness (similar to the legendary 1960s whiskies) underneath the sherry. Especially the 15 Year Old Sherry Oak has a great balance – stay tuned for my review.
Now back to ARC-54. If you’ve ever tried Bowmore 1968 then you know we’re in for a treat. We hear the collaboration with Aston Martin is about to end, so we’re keen to find out about the next steps for Bowmore.
Bowmore 40 yo 1968 ‘ARC-54’ (44,3%, OB 2025, second-fill sherry butt + third-fill bourbon hogshead, 130 btl.)
Nose: very forthcoming, with the typical mentholated fruitiness of Bowmore. Tropical fruits indeed: pink grapefruit and pineapple, later also thicker hints of peach and guava. Subtle vanilla and rose pepper. Nice eucalyptus. Then hints of leather, touches of walnuts and polished furniture. Pretty great, with only a very subtle smoky touch – kind of an oriental hint of old wood.
Mouth: plenty of juicy fruits again. Bergamot stands out, with mango and pink grapefruit standing out again. Subtle greener fruits too: Granny Smith and lime (leaves). Not the (fantastic) hints of passion fruits that you got in younger 1968s, sadly. Then hints of vanilla again, with cinnamon and subtle hints of rose petals. The smoke is slightly louder than the nose suggested, but still nicely soft. Later also hints of candied ginger and mint.
Finish: long and smooth, with lingering fruits overtaken by herbal notes, gentle oak and echoes of peat.
Truly outstanding. The fruitiness is less explosive than what you get in younger 1960s Bowmore, but nonetheless impressive. The added complexity is great, adding plenty of tiny notes over time. Lovely whisky from a legendary vintage. Only 130 decanters are available for around € 81.000. Look at it from the bright side: this is the cheapest option to become an Aston Martin owner.