UK. Bowmore and Aston Martin have unveiled the second and final expression in the ARC Series: Bowmore ARC-54. It combines a 54 Year Old Bowmore whisky with a handblown glass decanter inspired by the futuristic design of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar.
Suntory Global Spirits celebrated the launch with an experiential tasting event at Raffles London in The OWO on Wednesday (2 April). The Moodie Davitt Report was on location for the unveiling, which concluded with a tasting of ARC-54, Bowmore’s oldest whisky.
With only 130 decanters available worldwide, ARC-54 is positioned as an ultra-premium whisky. Twenty have been allocated to key travel retail partners, starting with Dubai Duty Free next month.
Distilled in November 1968, this whisky (44.3% ABV) showcases Bowmore’s signature depth and complexity, shaped by 54 years of maturation.
The liquid was initially aged in a second-fill European oak sherry butt and a third-fill American oak hogshead within the No.1 Vaults at the Bowmore Distillery in Islay, Scotland.
The whisky followed a precise maturation process inspired by the golden ratio – 61.8% European oak-aged spirit and 38.2% American oak-aged spirit – before being married for 15 months. The result is a whisky with a multi-dimensional character.
Bowmore ARC-54 combines citrus, floral notes, salted caramel, spiced ginger, cinnamon and a hint of peat smoke.
Each handblown decanter draws inspiration from the aerodynamic structure of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, mirroring its full-length venturi tunnels that generate significant downforce.
It also reflects the natural contours of Islay. The decanter’s fluid shape and glass structure are crafted to highlight the liquid within, linking the creative philosophies of Bowmore and Aston Martin.
The past year has been crucial for Bowmore in travel retail with the introduction of a revamped brand identity. As reported, this was revealed in October with the travel retail-exclusive Bowmore Appellations Collection.
View this post on Instagram
Filmed and edited by The Moodie Davitt Report Senior Reporter Ameesha Raizada
Suntory Global Spirits Senior Marketing Director for Global Travel Retail Nandini Valio remarked: “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.
“It is absolutely fitting that Bowmore ARC-54 will be highlighted in the travel retail channel, 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.”
Bowmore Master Blender Calum Fraser said, “A Bowmore as exquisite and complex as this 54 Year Old is a testament to the skills of our distillery team, but also the very embodiment of what can be achieved simply by slowing down, standing still and letting things unfold as they are destined to.
“This rare creation truly demonstrates just how Bowmore ages exceptionally over time, with unmatched precision and clarity.
“As guardians of this spirit, we strive to harness the power of the past in every drop that we create – whilst constantly reimagining Bowmore for the next generation that will experience our whiskies.”
Suntory Global Spirits remarked at the London event: “Everything that is Bowmore, its essence, is what we create at the distillery in Islay. Building on that foundation, we can create whiskies with so many different facets, flavours and expressions.
“This [ARC-54] wasn’t just a partnership; it was a collaboration between two wonderful companies with such shared synergy and a belief in understated excellence running through everything produced.”
Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman added, “Bowmore ARC-54 continues the cutting-edge, technology-based collaboration between two exceptional brands steeped in heritage and tradition.
“It embodies the innovative thinking that we apply to Valkyrie and Valhalla, our mid-engined sports cars. Both cars push the boundaries like the ARC-54 decanter, employing similar principles of materiality and fluid dynamics.
“The decanter replaces air flow for liquid movement to create a uniquely formed shape generated by the pure movement of Bowmore whisky – a truly creative collaboration.” ✈
