Bowmore ARC-54: A 54-Year-Old Masterpiece from Islay

The Final Release in the ARC Series in Collaboration with Aston Martin

Today, the legendary Islay distillery Bowmore unveiled the second and final release in its prestigious ARC series, created in collaboration with Aston Martin. Following the 2022 release of the Bowmore ARC-52, this new expression, Bowmore ARC-54, is set to become an icon in the world of whisky collecting.

Distilled in 1968, the Bowmore ARC-54 is one of the oldest whiskies ever released by the distillery. It matured in the renowned No. 1 Vaults, spending decades in a mix of second-fill European oak sherry butts (61.8%) and third-fill American oak hogsheads (38.2%), an expertly balanced ratio reminiscent of the golden ratio. After blending, the whisky was given an additional 15 months to harmonize before bottling.

A Testament to Time and Craftsmanship

Dr. Calum Fraser, Bowmore’s Master Blender, described this whisky as:

“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.”

With a bottling strength of 44.3% ABV, the Bowmore ARC-54 showcases the remarkable aging potential of Bowmore’s spirit, delivering unmatched precision and clarity with every sip.

Tasting Notes: A Journey of Flavor

• Nose: Sweet, syrupy vanilla, merging with butter toffee and buttery shortbread, followed by mango and fully ripe peach.
• Palate: A wave of sweet fruits, followed by fresh-cut green apple, bergamot citrus, and lime juice, with undertones of salted caramel and delicate floral notes.
• Finish: A subtle emergence of Bowmore’s signature peat smoke, leading into an intense, long, and velvety finale with hints of sweet herbs and peaty complexity.

A Collector’s Dream

With a price tag of approximately €84,000, this ultra-limited edition is available from today. Given the extreme rarity of the ARC-52, which saw only five decanters allocated to Germany, availability for this release is expected to be just as scarce.

Bowmore ARC-54 is more than just a whisky—it is a symbol of heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation, marking the end of a groundbreaking collaboration between two titans of luxury: Bowmore and Aston Martin.