New Traditions

Eaux-de-vie such as the Bowmore x Aston Martin and Hennessy XO are breaking new ground with an unconventional approach to distilled spirits

WHEN THE FIRST BLACK BOWMORE DB5 1964 was released in 1993, whisky connoisseur and Bowmore brand ambassador Matthew Fergusson-Stewart recalled that it retailed at £70, “a price some thought was insane”. Five years ago, that fi rst edition went under the hammer for US$14,850. And last year, the Archive Cabinet, housing a complete collection of Black Bowmores sold for S$760,849 at Sotheby’s Rare Whisky & Moutai Live auction.

With only 25 units available worldwide, one of those bottles with eau de vie aged for 31 years in sherry casks and a design inspired by the famous silver Aston Martin DB 5 driven by the late Sean Connery in the fi rst James Bond fi lm Goldfinger has come on the market. It went up for auction in January with Singapore’s sole example starting at a reserve price of S$90,000.

Both brands have immense histories. The Bowmore Distillery founded in 1779 established itself not only as the oldest, but also the most valuable Islay whisky when the distillery’s 54-year- old expression, distilled in 1957, sold for £363,000 in 2019. Aston Martin, founded in 1913, has produced cars renowned for performance and style. The company received its Royal Warrant in 1982 and went on to reset its own record when a DB1/1 sold for $22.5m, making it the most valuable British car ever sold at an auction.

Milestone Year: 1964

For nearly 30 years, since the release of its First Edition in 1993, Black Bowmore has been synonymous with collectability, and an icon in the rare whisky market. A celebration of shared values and passions, and showcasing great innovation and invention, the Black Bowmore DB5 1964 is a beautiful masterpiece with a unique, handcrafted glass decanter featuring a genuine piston from an Aston Martin DB5 engine to house the preciously scarce single malt whisky.

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 fi res made way for steam by which the stills were heated. It was the fi rst distillation from this new boiler that produced the spirit that was to become the iconic Black Bowmore.

Even with its 242-year history, the partnership between Bowmore Distillery and Aston Martin still marks a watershed moment in cross- category collaboration. The two brands operate as captains of industry in their respective fields. Last November, the worlds of whisky making and automotive design joined in the new Bowmore

Aston Martin 21 Masters’ Selection. Representing a shared commitment to heritage, craftsmanship and innovation, the new limited edition whisky is a result of a collaboration between Bowmore and Aston Martin making it the fi rst single malt whisky to be made with expertise from the legendary luxury automotive brand.

Imagined and defi ned by Bowmore master whisky blender Ron Welsh, and Aston Martin executive vice president and chief creative officer Marek Reichman, the Bowmore Aston Martin 21 Masters’ selection has bridged two distinct worlds in a powerful, yet inspiring way.