Bowmore Introduces Bespoke 1961 50 Year Old

This expression’s final 50 bottles mark the inauguration of the bespoke Bowmore 50 Year Old Collection Series.

Bowmore®, Islay’s first Single Malt Scotch Whisky established in 1799 and one of the world’s most collectible Scotch whiskies, announces the U.S. arrival of the final bottles of the Bowmore 1961 50 Year Old expression. These bottles are part of an exquisite and extremely limited global collection of just 200 bottles that have been issued over the last four years. This December marks the global release of the final 50 bottles, a portion of which are destined for the U.S. and will have a suggested retail price of $23,000.

The final bottles of Bowmore 1961 50 Year Old will not only forever be known as the last of their batch, but also the first of a six-part Bowmore 50 Year Old Collection Series. Released annually beginning this year, the famed Bowmore Distillery will issue a 50 year old Bowmore single malt Scotch vintage, both in the U.S. and in Europe. All the 50-year-old bottlings will have spent time maturing in the famed and hallowed Bowmore No. 1 Vaults, one of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses.

“There are very few distilleries with the good fortune to be situated in just the right place on earth to be able to make one of the most exceptional and sought after whiskies in the world. Bowmore is one of those places. With pride, we distill our spirit and lay it to rest in the No. 1 Vaults, knowing that we can nurture it and wait for it to mature for 20, 30 and certainly even 50 years. This is what we have in the 50 Year Old Collection Series. Each year, I’ll be looking into the hidden depths of the No. 1 Vaults and revealing a heady liquid gem from the 1960s, certain to make collectors worldwide swoon.”
– Rachel Barrie, Bowmore Master Blender

The journey of this rare whisky began one very cold day in December 1961 when it was distilled and then carefully filled into two ex-bourbon hogshead casks by the expert Bowmore Distillery team. Half a century later, the ‘angels’ had left a mere 200 bottles of this truly exceptional single malt.

Hints of black truffles and tropical fruits reveal the full maturity of the warm, smoky spirit of Bowmore. With a warm, honey gold texture, the bursts of ripe fruit intermingled with black truffles and gentle smoke manifest themselves in that first sip, leaving you to savor the evolving finish of almond cake and caramelized pears interwoven with subtle peat.

Bowmore 1961 50 Year Old is a work of true craftsmanship utilizing the finest Scottish materials. The collector will acquire a bottle that is hand-blown by renowned glass sculpting studio Glasstorm, while the neck collars and cork tops of the bottles are beautifully made by Fattorini Silversmiths. To complete the piece, the bottle is housed within a handmade cabinet crafted in Scottish Elmwood by master carpenter Peter Toaig.

“This 50 year old Bowmore is yet another wonderful example of the older whiskies that the Distillery has matured in our No. 1 Vaults warehouse, right on the shores of Loch Indaal. This rare whisky was slowly and expertly distilled using the old coal-fired stills used in Bowmore at that time and was then filled into ex-bourbon hogshead casks and carefully stored away in the No 1 Vaults. Now, the result of all that dedication and care, applied since 1961, is once again ready to be shared. The select people destined to sample the first taste of this special nectar are privileged indeed.”
– Eddie MacAffer, former Bowmore Master Distiller

Bowmore 1961 50 Year Old is presented at 40.7% ABV and the final bottles will be available in the U.S. as of December 2016 at select retailers in select markets.

For more information, visit Bowmore.com.