Beam Suntory has introduced the limited-edition Bowmore 1965 Precious Metals whisky exclusively in global travel retail.
Only four bottles of the rare expression have been created. They will be available in airports in Dubai, Taipei, Hong Kong and Amsterdam. The first bottle will be released through Ever Rich Duty Free’s Taipei downtown duty free store on 11 March.
The release was inspired by the rich heritage of Islay, Bowmore’s remote island home for over 240 years.
The liquid has a shimmering amber hue and is 42% ABV. On the nose, it offers fragrant fruit, sweet beeswax and dark chocolate notes. On the palate, it offers burnt heather, jasmine and dried fruit flavours with a fresh spring flower and apricot finish.
The liquid is balanced with jasmine, dried fruit and apricot flavours, showcasing Bowmore’s signature fruity notes and deep flavours.
Bowmore 1965 Precious Metals is housed in four striking presentation boxes designed by Master Craftsman John Galvin. The boxes lean on centuries of traditional craftsmanship and celebrate the Bowmore distillery’s legacy on Islay. Each oak box is adorned with a brass plaque, that was made from the former Bowmore spirits safe. Dating back to 1924, the safe is a key component in the making of Bowmore’s whisky.
“We’re delighted to present the exquisite limited-edition Bowmore 1965 Precious Metals exclusively to global travel retail,” commented Beam Suntory Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel González. “Master craftsman John Galvin captured the essence of the Bowmore distillery and has a proven track record of designing incredibly desirable pieces for collectors. With only four bottles available worldwide, our customers are invited to get their hands on unique art that immortalises the Bowmore craftsmanship and celebrates the brand’s rich heritage.”
Each of the four striking bottles are available at a recommended retail price of US$50,000. Each individual box is a rare collectible, capturing 240 years of Bowmore’s heritage. The numbered bottles will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
According to the brand owner, the bottles are bespoke one-off art pieces that highlight Bowmore’s appeal for rare whisky collectors globally. Bowmore 1965 Precious Metals celebrates the 1960s, when some of the brand’s most memorable whiskies were created. Today, these rare whiskies are limited to only a handful of casks.
John Galvin is a long-time Bowmore partner. In 2021, he designed the Bowmore Archive Cabinet which housed a rare full collection of the Black Bowmore whisky spanning from 1993 to 2016. The exclusive art piece was sold at auction with Sotheby’s Hong Kong for US$563,000.
The Cabinet celebrates Bowmore’s pioneering spirit. The former Bowmore spirit safe, which was first used in 1924, was repurposed for the Cabinet’s base. The proceeds from the sale went to ‘The Bowmore Legacy’ to support the training, education and housing needs of Islay’s youth. The Bowmore Legacy’s aim is to futureproof the island’s distilling industry by investing in the next generation of whisky makers.
Commenting on his ongoing partnership with Bowmore, Galvin said: “Working with Bowmore is always hugely inspiring and rewarding for me so the opportunity to imagine just four unique oak boxes for the 1965 Precious Metals was both exciting and enthralling.
“Taking a genuine piece of the distillery’s legacy and integrating it into the design is so magical as it keeps a part of Islay’s very heart and soul connected with this incredible whisky for eternity. These projects do not come along very often, but they are a real honour and privilege to be part of when they do.”
