Aston Martin Does A Malt With Bowmore. And It Costs As Much As You’d Expect.

Bowmore, the oldest licensed distillery on Scotland’s isle of Islay, and Aston Martin have unveiled their first collaborative creation: Black Bowmore DB5 1964.  This striking concept 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.

With only 25 bottles for sale, this exceptionally rare 31-Year-Old Black Bowmore DB5 1964 is a celebration of time and a definitive moment in history for both Bowmore and Aston Martin. It is also a celebration of shared values and passions, as it showcases great innovation and invention.

A beautifully inspiring masterpiece, this unique, handcrafted vessel houses an equally exceptional Black Bowmore single malt. The significance of 1964 is paramount, as it represents a truly defining era of evolution for both Bowmore and Aston Martin.

For Bowmore, 1964 is arguably one of the most significant points in the distillery’s 240-year history. The arrival of a new boiler allowed the distillery to 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 reflected in awe-inspiring deep darkness.

First distilled on November 5, 1964, Black Bowmore has become one of the rarest and most sought-after single malt whiskies ever created. This latest release represents only the sixth bottling of this exquisite single malt. Since 1993, there have only been approximately six thousand bottles of Black Bowmore made available, thus adding to the desirability of this iconic whisky.

David Turner, Distillery Manager at Bowmore commented, “1964 represents a significant date in the modern history of the distillery. Not only a key moment in how we distilled our spirit, but perhaps even more significant as this very spirit went onto create Black Bowmore. These defining moments are fundamental to the history of Bowmore. This collaboration with Aston Martin has allowed us to once again showcase this iconic single malt in the most incredible way.”

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. Sir David Brown, the then owner of Aston Martin Lagonda and the man who gave his initials to the ‘DB’ lineage, said of the car: “I believe it is the essential character of the DB5, and its ability to perform perfectly in all conditions, that makes this car so intensely satisfying to own.” It is this relentless pursuit of power with purpose that still helps to define the appeal of Aston Martin today.

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 more than 50 years of glass design, sculpting and creative expertise, each bottle took up to one week to 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, itself a work of art. Inspired by the distillery’s coastal home, the deep blue color and wave embossing evoke a true sense of place. Created from the finest string-grain calfskin, featuring a custom solid brass latch and hinges, plated with nickel, reflective of the DB5.

Black Bowmore DB5 1964 will be available from late Autumn 2020 with a suggested retail price of $65,000.