Bowmore and Aston Martin have unveiled the second and final release in their ARC Series, Bowmore ARC-54, at an exclusive event held at Raffles London in The OWO on April 2, 2025. This remarkable whisky, distilled in November 1968, boasts an impressive 54 years of maturation, culminating in a unique blend that is as much a work of art as it is a drink.
Bowmore ARC-54 combines a 54-year-old whisky with an exquisitely crafted handblown glass decanter inspired by the aerodynamic design of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar. The collaboration between these two iconic brands has produced a product that reflects both luxury and craftsmanship, appealing to collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Only 130 decanters of ARC-54 are available worldwide, making it a truly exclusive offering. Of these, 20 decanters have been allocated to key travel retail partners, with the first available at Dubai Duty Free starting in May 2025. Priced at £71,000 (approximately $80,000) each, the decanters are expected to attract significant attention from whisky enthusiasts.
The whisky itself has undergone a meticulous maturation process. Initially aged in a second-fill European oak sherry butt and a third-fill American oak hogshead, the spirit was blended according to the golden ratio: 61.8% of the whisky aged in European oak and 38.2% in American oak. After being married for 15 months, the result is a complex and multi-dimensional whisky that showcases the best of Bowmore’s distilling expertise.
Official tasting notes for Bowmore ARC-54 highlight its rich and layered profile. The initial aroma presents sweet, syrupy vanilla and butterscotch, which gracefully transitions to tropical mango and sweet peach notes. Subtle hints of orange zest, toasted oak, candied walnuts, and eucalyptus mint add depth to the sensory experience.
On the palate, the whisky reveals a rich fruity sweetness, with flavors of freshly cut green apple and delicate citric tones of bergamot orange and lime juice. Salted caramel complements floral notes, while warming spices of ginger and cinnamon lead to a gentle crescendo of whispering peat smoke. The finish is intense yet lavish, leaving a long, smooth aftertaste with sweet, herbal, and peated characteristics.
During the launch event, Suntory Global Spirits Senior Marketing Director for Global Travel Retail, Nandini Valio, expressed her excitement about the release, stating, "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." Valio emphasized the importance of the travel retail channel for showcasing Bowmore’s prestigious portfolio.
Bowmore Master Blender Calum Fraser also spoke at the event, noting, "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." He highlighted the exceptional aging process of Bowmore whiskies, which allows for unmatched precision and clarity.
Aston Martin's Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, remarked on the innovative collaboration between the brands, stating, "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." He explained that the decanter design employs principles of materiality and fluid dynamics, allowing for a uniquely formed shape that reflects the movement of Bowmore whisky.
In addition to the whisky launch, the event also featured the unveiling of a global anthem created with writer and poet Sophia Thakur. Thakur, who admitted to being a newcomer to whisky making, was captivated by the craft and drew parallels between poetry and whisky. She stated, "Although it’s a different medium to the one I work in, there are so many parallels and synergies. Like how a poem continues to reveal itself over the years depending on how still a reader is willing to be with it, or how both whisky and words can change their meaning and poignance over time, and that everyone’s experience of them is entirely personal and unique."
The Bowmore ARC-54 launch marks a significant milestone in Bowmore's ongoing journey within the luxury whisky market. The past year has been pivotal for the brand, with the introduction of a revamped identity and the travel retail-exclusive Bowmore Appellations Collection, which was revealed in October 2024. This new direction has set the stage for the release of ARC-54, further extending Bowmore's legacy within the world of rare and remarkable whiskies.
As the whisky industry continues to evolve, Bowmore and Aston Martin's partnership exemplifies the fusion of craftsmanship and innovation. With the ARC Series, they have not only created a product of exceptional quality but have also set a new standard for luxury whisky experiences. Enthusiasts and collectors alike will surely be eager to add Bowmore ARC-54 to their collections, as it represents a unique intersection of heritage, artistry, and modernity.
