Bowmore® Single Malt Scotch Whisky introduces the Designed by Aston Martin collection
Designed by Aston Martin is a limited edition collection that reveals the creative union between Bowmore and Aston Martin
Three classic Bowmore whiskies have taken on a striking new look inspired by some of the most influential cars from Aston Martin’s 108-year history
This exclusive collection will be available from August 2021, exclusively in global travel retail outlets
29 July 2021, Islay, UK: Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky has today revealed the Designed by Aston Martin collection, a collaboration committed to the realisation of timeless, beautiful creations.
This exclusive collection brings together Bowmore’s exceptional whisky making credentials with the design talent of one of the world’s foremost luxury automotive marques, to create new products and concepts celebrating the synergies and shared passions of these two iconic brands.
The Aston Martin x Bowmore partnership, which began in 2019, celebrates both brand’s rich heritage of creating beautiful products that combine innovative design and exquisite craftsmanship. The first fruits of this partnership were revealed last summer with the launch of Black Bowmore DB5 1964, one of the rarest single malt whiskies ever created, offered in a handcrafted bottle incorporating a genuine Aston Martin DB5 piston. This was followed by the first Aston Martin x Bowmore automotive offering: the DBX Bowmore, an exclusive ‘Q by Aston Martin’ edition of the marque’s luxury SUV. Today’s launch of the Designed by Aston Martin collection is the first multi-product offering from this unique collaboration.
In the first unveiling of this concept, three classic Bowmore whiskies have taken on a striking new look inspired by some of the rarest and most influential cars from Aston Martin’s 108-year history and will be available exclusively in global travel retail outlets Released annually, the new-look limited edition collection incorporates Bowmore 10, 15 and 18-Year-Old single malts and allows for the intriguing exploration of the significant synergies of these two worlds.
With the ethos of Bowmore and character of these whiskies as inspiration, Aston Martin’s design team have captured the essence of their own legacy and elevated the distinctive character of each of the whiskies. The striking design calls on iconic cars in terms of styling, engineering and performance, which made an indelible mark on the company’s evolution and design philosophy.
The Bowmore 10 Years Old is paired with the game changing Aston Martin factory Team Car, the LM10, which first raced at Le Mans in 1932. Both clearly expressing a bold and confident style, these two creations push the boundaries. The whisky boldly fuses spice from Spanish oak casks, with signature smoke flavours, whilst the LM10 encapsulates exceptional technical prowess, using cutting edge technology of the time to minimise weight and accelerate speed.
Taking inspiration from the iconic Aston Martin Atom, the elegant and beautifully refined Bowmore 15 Years Old captures a definitive moment in time and pays homage to each of the respective craftsmen’s creative flair and passion. This single malt, like the Atom, is a truly defining work of art. The whisky crafted from exquisite first fill bourbon casks and hogsheads reveals a refreshingly uplifting and stylish character, whilst the Atom is the epitome of beauty and period styling, disruptive and elegantly strong eye-catching concept.
Performance is the force which unites the Aston Martin DB Mk III and Bowmore 18 Years Old. Together they celebrate exceptional attention to detail, embracing the absolute complexity at the heart of both these beautiful creations. A high performing single malt, deeply complex, rare and dignified from time well spent in the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks is united with an alluring Aston Martin which encapsulates technical prowess and the optimal execution.
David Turner, Bowmore Distillery Manager, said, “These limited-edition releases not only celebrate our partnership but also give some of our wonderful whiskies a whole new look which I know will excite Bowmore fans and collectors around the world. By bringing together our skills and passions, we are inviting drinkers to explore our stunning and exclusive GTR collection whilst also showcasing how our shared commitment to heritage and craftsmanship can truly come to life.”
Cathal Loughnane, Head of Partnerships of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “It has been fascinating to study the unique characteristics of each of these whiskies and align them with some incredible cars from our past. Every Aston Martin has its own character and that is something we pay a great deal of attention to in the design process. This has been a new challenge for us and it is one we have enjoyed immensely.”
The Designed by Aston Martin collection, exclusive to travel retail, goes on sale August 2021 and will be available in Duty Free worldwide, with activations in key airport locations including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Hainan, Istanbul and Taiwan.
As world class premium brands Bowmore and Aston Martin urge consumers never to drink and drive, because of this we will be integrating our Drink Smart® messaging into our brand activations around the partnership. Our dedicated Drink Smart® platform ensures we effectively communicate with legal-purchase age adults about making informed, responsible choices.
https://www.drinksmart.com/reducing-drunk-driving-or-drink-driving
Tasting Notes
Bowmore 10-year-old ABV 40%
On The Eye: Dark amber
Breathe In: Sun-dried fruit, baked Seville orange and toasted maple
Sip: Sultanas, sea salt and dark fruit oils
Savour: Peat-smoked walnut and spice
Bowmore 15-year-old ABV 43%
On The Eye: Golden barley
Breathe In: Sicilian golden desserts with honey, Amalfi lemon and sweet tobacco leaf
Sip: Silky citrus, salty-sweet vanilla and honeycomb
Savour: Peat smoke, sweet almond and lingering lemon
Bowmore 18-year-old ABV 43%
On The Eye: Deepest Sunset
Breathe In: Rich dark chocolate, treacle toffee and date oil
Sip: Bitter-sweet orange peel and peat-smoke roasted coffee
Savour: Velvet mocha and macadamia nut chocolate
About Aston Martin Lagonda:
Aston Martin Lagonda is a luxury automotive group focused on the creation of exclusive cars and SUVs. The iconic Aston Martin brand fuses the latest technology, exceptional hand craftsmanship and timeless design to produce models including the Vantage, DB11, DBS Superleggera and the new SUV, DBX. Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates and exports cars which are sold in 55 countries around the world.
Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown.
About Bowmore®:
Founded in 1779, Bowmore® is the oldest distillery on Islay. Our maturation warehouse is the oldest in the world and our handcrafted single malt whisky is defined by time and inspired by its home place.
Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are amongst one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.
Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.
Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling. It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.
Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began. This is our story of time. This is Bowmore; the Art of Time since 1779.
About Beam Suntory:
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com