This spring, Sotheby’s will offer Bowmore ARC-54: Iridos Edition, a unique decanter designed by Aston Martin housing an equally unique 54-year-old whisky from Bowmore Distillery on Islay, Scotland. The offering marks Sotheby’s latest partnership with Bowmore following the sale of the Iridos Edition’s predecessor—the one-of-a-kind Bowmore ARC-52 Mokume Edition—in 2023.
Crafted from some of Bowmore’s oldest vintages from the 1960s by Calum Fraser, Chief Blender, the bespoke single malt was drawn from two cask types: a 1967 European oak butt, a 1968 Sherry butt and a 1968 American oak hogshead.
The mid to late 1960s at Bowmore is considered a golden era, a period during which the famed Black Bowmore was distilled. The vintages produced have gone on to become highly sought after by collectors.
Sotheby’s London will offer Bowmore ARC-54 Iridos Edition in an online auction of Finest Whisky, open for bidding from 15 to 29 May. The estimate is £140,000-220,000 ($180,000-300,000).
Proceeds from the auction will benefit the communities that support Suntory Global Spirits’ distilleries in Scotland. This follows the donation of the proceeds from the auction of Bowmore ARC-52 Mokume Edition to the Islay community.
This one-off release calls on the world of automotive engineering from Aston Martin Valkyrie for its distinctly complex design. The striking shape of the handblown decanter takes inspiration from the F1-inspired aerodynamic exterior of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, the full-length venturi tunnels that contribute to in the region of 1,100 kg of downforce, and the natural fluid forms of the terroir of Islay.
Taking its name from the Latin origin of the word, combining ‘rainbow’ and ‘iridescent’, the titanium top of the decanter has been created using the same process applied to the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s exhaust system. Milled from a single billet of titanium, it was then subjected to extreme changes in temperature, both hot and cold, like the exhaust of the Valkyrie, to create a unique iridescent bluing patternation on the metal. The finish achieved is visually and technically stunning, with multi-layered facets of colours emerging from every angle.
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whisky & Spirits, said, “This marks the second partnership between Sotheby’s and Bowmore to offer at auction a completely unique version of their Aston Martin ARC collaboration. The ARC-54 Iridos not only features its distinctive iridescent lid, complimenting the aerodynamic Aston Martin design but within the bottle itself is an individual whisky so rare that only one bottle has been made available for sale. In the last few years, Bowmore has consistently achieved the highest results for unique bottles combining age, rarity, vintage specificity and stunning design, so it’s a special moment for us to be entrusted once again with their latest creation.”
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, commented, “This remarkable one-off creation is testament to the cutting edge, technology-based collaboration between two exceptional brands that are steeped in heritage and tradition. ARC-54 Iridos embodies the innovative thinking that we apply to Valkyrie and Valhalla, our mid-engined sports cars.
“Both of these cars push the boundaries of technology through materials, aerodynamics and performance. In creating the ARC-54 decanter, similar principles of materiality and fluid dynamics are employed, replacing air flow for liquid movement to create a uniquely formed shape generated by the pure movement of Bowmore whisky. A truly creative collaboration.”
Calum Fraser, Chief Blender at Bowmore, added, “This is a whisky which tells a rich and captivating story, beginning in the definitive era of Bowmore and taking shape over more than half a century. In bringing together some of our oldest and rarest whiskies, we showcase not only the infinite layers of flavour achievable in Bowmore but the sheer excellence of just how our spirit excels in cask over time. The intensity of the tropical fruits, together with indulgently rich sweetness, is truly enticing and makes for the most intriguing and inspired partner for this incredible decanter.”
The Bowmore ARC-54 Iridos Edition
- Cask types: Oloroso Sherry seasoned European oak butt, refill Sherry butt, American oak ex-bourbon hogshead.
- AGE: 54 Years Old, vatting of 1967 and 1968
- ABV: 42.3%
Tasting notes
On the Eye: Burnished chestnut.
Breathe In: Luscious, sweet, rich and complex. Polished mahogany intertwined with tropical fruit notes of soft peach, guava, desiccated coconut and gently charred ripe pineapple. The uplifting tropical fruit notes are further elevated with hints of citric orange zest and are balanced harmoniously with indulgent rich fruit notes of honeyed figs, dates and moist sultanas in addition to chocolate orange with hints of sweet cinnamon together with herbal and minty notes of menthol.
Taste: An abundance of tropical and citrus fruits is layered with hints of toasted almonds and delicate Islay peat smoke. Lemon meringue, mandarin oranges, peaches in syrup, and mango captivate the palate and lead to rich notes of toasted oak, cocoa powder, and creamy fudge.
Savour: Long, smooth tropical fruit notes, notably passion fruit, with sensations of sweet spice and gentle peat in the background.
You must be logged in to post a comment.