A one-of-a-kind 51 Year Old single malt Bowmore Onyx expression was sold at the inaugural The Distillers One of One auction for a record US$532,000.
Proceeds from the auction benefit The Youth Action Fund, which was created by The Distillers’ Charity. The fund supports disadvantaged youths in Scotland by empowering them with education and training programmes.
The Bowmore Onyx was inspired by the black rock or ‘bogha mor’ of Islay, from which the name Bowmore is believed to derive. The rare expression contains 1.4 litres of ultra-fine whisky housed in a hand-blown glass vessel.
The liquid was first filled in 1970 and matured in an American Oak refill barrel. It was then nurtured in the Bowmore No.1 Vaults in the damp cellars below sea level. It is the first 51 Year Old to ever be released by Bowmore and the auction offered the only opportunity to purchase the rare blend.
With a burnished gold hue, the liquid offers fresh and fruity aromas on the nose, balanced with punchy notes of menthol and eucalyptus. Bowmore’s signature peat smoke, polished cedarwood and burnt caramel – create a sweet yet spicy taste on the palate, which is balanced by tobacco, walnuts and pecan nuts on the finish.
The striking glass structure is a celebration of Islay and is the first structure of this size and style to ever be created by the distillery. The bottle was handblown by glass studio Glasstorm, who also crafted the exclusive Bowmore 1957, which sold for £363,000 (US$482,000) at Sotheby’s auctioneers. The glass studio was also responsible for the Black Bowmore DB5 1964 (a collaboration with Aston Martin, on which we have reported extensively), which was inspired by the rock formations of Islay.
“This is another incredible milestone in the evolution of Bowmore, and cements its position has a hugely creative, desirable and committed brand,” commented Beam Suntory Managing Director Scotch, Gin & Irish Francois Bazini. “To be part of this auction and achieve this record price for Onyx means we can continue in our philanthropic endeavours to the benefit of Scotland’s young people. This is a great day for Bowmore, and for the establishment of a new legacy.”
The whisky house revealed The Bowmore Legacy project earlier this year to support employability, training and housing needs in the Island of Islay. The project aims to provide affordable and supported housing, boost employment skills for young people and remove barriers to employment. Its key goal is to future-proof the island’s distilling industry by equipping Islay’s young people with the tools they need to succeed.
