Two luxury marques of the British Isles have conceived the Black Bowmore DB5 1964, a whisky with more than just good looks.
It’s always a beautiful thing when great brands from different realms and persuasions come together to create something unforgettable. We’ve seen this ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ from the fitness and sound industries, from masters of the horological scene, and most recently with the arrival of Lamborghini’s new speed boat. The newest collaborative effort sees Bowmore Islay whisky and Aston Martin creating a dram that will bring a tear to your eye.
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The Black Bowmore DB5 1964 release is a striking concept that brings together an iconic whisky and a legendary car in a bottle of equal parts, featuring exceptional single malt and a genuine Aston Martin DB5 piston.
Limited to only 25 bottles, naturally, this exceptionally rare release is a celebration of time and of shared values and passions. Presented in an exceptional handcrafted vessel, the new whisky marks an important milestone for both brands.
For Bowmore, 1964 is arguably one of the most significant points in the distillery’s 240-year history. The arrival of a new boiler saw the distillery enter the modern age of distilling as coal fires made way for steam in heating the stills. It was the first distillation from this new boiler that produced the spirit which was to become the iconic Black Bowmore, a sublimely rich and decadent single malt.
First distilled on November 5, 1964, over the years Black Bowmore has become one of the rarest and most sought-after single malt whiskies and this latest release represents only its sixth ever bottling, with a total of just 6,000 bottles ever produced.
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For Aston Martin, this was the era of their most iconic car. Launched in 1963 to considerable acclaim, the Aston Martin DB5 is now widely regarded as ‘the most famous car in the world’, not least by virtue of its links to the world’s most celebrated secret agent in 1964.
On its debut, the DB5 represented a subtle but important evolution over its immediate predecessor, the DB4 Series 5, not least by virtue of an increase in engine capacity to 4.0-litres. This of course made the DB5 that much more of a sporting saloon which, combined with its exceptional styling, helped it to become one of the most desirable and admired sports cars of its generation.
In keeping with a commitment to true craftsmanship, the Black Bowmore DB5 bottle itself is handcrafted by Glasstorm, a bespoke contemporary glass studio based in North East Scotland, with each bottle taking up to one week to be complete, reflecting the continued thread of attention to detail and skill which defines this collaboration.
Black Bowmore DB5 1964 is presented in a handmade presentation box featuring deep blue colour and wave embossing inspired by the distillery’s coastal home. Created from the finest string-grain calfskin, the box features a custom solid brass latch and hinges, plated with nickel, reflective of the DB5.
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Those lucky enough to try the new release, which was aged in a Williams and Humbert brown Oloroso Sherry Butt cask, will find a whisky with a deep obsidian black hue, layers of ripe exotic fruit and creme caramel on the nose, and intense flavours of mango, passionfruit, and acacia honey interwoven with a powerful combination of coffee and tobacco smoke on the palate.
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