The entire Black Bowmore Whisky collection will be auctioned off in a bespoke ‘Archive Cabinet’ by Sotheby’s in Spring 2021. The five Whisky bottles, along with the custom piece of furniture they come in, are expected to fetch around $500,000.
Award-winning craftsman John Galvin created the Black Bowmore Archive Cabinet, which will house the complete Whisky collection, spanning 1993 to 2016.
Distilled in 1964, Black Bowmore was filled into oak casks previously used for maturing sweet Oloroso Sherry and transferred to the No. 1 vaults at Scotland’s oldest maturation warehouse. Hidden in a special location, this was the perfect environment for long maturation.
Initially sold for £100, Bowmore Black has since become one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world for its tropical fruit flavour. It was first released in 1993 as a 29 year old, with further releases of a 30 year old and 31 year old over the following two years. The next didn’t come until 2007, when the distillery unveiled a 42 year old, and in 2016 “the last cask” was released as a 50 year old.
“Black Bowmore truly is the jewel in our crown and it takes its rightful place in the distillery’s history for firmly putting Bowmore on the map as an iconic, collectable whisky,” said David Turner, Bowmore distillery manager. “This full collection of five Black Bowmore bottlings is spectacular, made even more special by the cabinet within which it is beautifully housed. Each element of the cabinet comes from our home; from the workings of the distillery preserving time gone by. This exceptional detail not only reflects the craftsmanship inherent in Bowmore, but makes this unique masterpiece rooted in our Islay home. This means whoever buys this not only owns some of our spirit’s history, but also actual elements of the distillery’s production history.”
“Black Bowmore is one of my personal favourite whiskies and a dram I have been lucky enough to try on a number of occasions,” said Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist. “Its value has increased exponentially over the years, which can be attributed to its undeniable quality and, now that so many bottles have been consumed, its newfound rarity. We are thrilled to partner with Bowmore for this landmark offering in the world of collectible whisky.”
The Black Bowmore Archive Cabinet will form the centrepiece of an auction of Finest & Rarest Wines and Spirits in Hong Kong come spring. The winning bidder will be invited to the Bowmore distillery for a tasting of Bowmore’s rarest and oldest single malts, with proceeds from the sale donated to an Islay charity.
It has been a big year for rare Bowmore releases. Back in August, the Islay distillery and Aston Martin launched their first collaborative whisky: Black Bowmore DB5 1964. And last month, Bowmore has unveiled a limited edition 30 Year Old single malt Scotch Whisky.