Aston Martin announced on Thursday that the luxury automobile brand was unveiling its final release within the ARC Series, a whisky collaboration with the Islay distillery Bowmore. The final offering features a handblown decanter inspired by the Aston Martin Valkyrie, and the whisky inside was distilled in November 1968.
“Bowmore ARC-54 continues the cutting edge, technology-based collaboration between two exceptional brands that are steeped in heritage and tradition,” said Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman in a statement. “It embodies the innovative thinking that we apply to Valkyrie and Valhalla, our mid-engined sports cars. Both these cars can push the boundaries with 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 pure movement of Bowmore whisky. A truly creative collaboration.”
The decanters take their inspiration from the aerodynamics that were used to design and engineer the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, according to the luxury car company. The brand shares that full-length venturi tunnels create 2,425 pounds of downforce, yielding a distinctive design.
As for the liquid inside, Bowmore shares that the single malt within ARC-54 spent over fifty years resting in a combination of European Oak Sherry and American Oak Hogshead casks. The blend was inspired by the Golden Ratio, and 68.1% of the spirit spent time in European Oak, whereas the remaining 38.2% spent time in American Oak. The whiskies were married and spent 15 months aging until it was deemed ready.
“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,” said Bowmore’s Chief Blender Dr Calum Fraser in a statement. “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.”
Just 130 decanters are available, and The Spirits Business reports that each is priced at £71,000 ($93,339)
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