ralfy review 1080 Extras – Taking care of Auction/Vintage Bottles

ralfy review 1079 Extras – Price ‘spotting’ at Auctions.

Auction Debut for One of the Rarest Offerings Ever from

The Balvenie Distillery

 Hammer Proceeds from the Sale of

The Balvenie Private Cask Trunk to be Donated to WWF and The King’s Trust

 Online Auction Open for Bidding Until 29 May

LONDON, 19 May 2025 – An exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the rarest offerings ever from The Balvenie – or from any whisky distillery – is currently underway at Sotheby’s in London. Bidding is now open on a sale of Finest Whisky, in which The Balvenie 50 Year Old Private Cask #16560 Trunk is a headline lot. Quite literally a treasure chest, the appearance of this hyper-rare item containing 10 bottles of single cask 50-year-old whisky from The Balvenie Distillery marks the first time that any bottles from The Balvenie’s rare cask programme have been seen at auction.

Every one of the 220 bottles produced from this cask – and the 22 wooden trunks in total in which they are housed – is owned by one collector, who has kindly chosen to consign one of the trunks to auction in order for the sale proceeds from the hammer price to be donated to two charities: WWF and The King’s Trust. Carrying an estimate of £240,000-450,000, The Balvenie Private Cask Trunk is available to collectors until 29 May only.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whisky & Spirits, said: “This unusual trunk represents not only ten fantastically old and rare bottles of whisky with exceptional presentation, but more importantly, it is a glimpse into the secret world within the upper echelons of whisky collecting. The rarest offering from Balvenie has finally become public and all for the benefit of two very worthy charities.”Cask #16560 is one of the few casks ever to be selected for the William Grant & Sons Private Client cask offer “event sale”, an annual programme in which only one cask selected from The Balvenie will be offered to one lucky private buyer and bottled for them that year. This Sherry Butt was selected by The Balvenie Malt Master, David C. Stewart MBE, for its extraordinary richness of character and depth of colour and bottled in 2021. On 14 December that year, Cask #16560 was removed from its home at The Balvenie distillery where it lay for nearly 51 years in order to be transformed into 220 dark sherry whisky bottles.

The cask itself went on to become not just the inspiration for, but the tools with which the labels were designed. For the label design concept, The Balvenie team worked with award-winning Scottish artist Paul Furneaux to commission an original artwork, from which 220 individual and unique labels were produced.

The starting point was a visit to The Balvenie’s Cooperage, a barrel-making facility that allows this particular distillery to control quality and creativity in their cask curation. Borrowing from a traditional lithography technique, Furneaux used the oak staves from Sherry Butt #16560 to create a collage of paint imprints on canvas using various colours and hues to invoke the Speyside landscape that surrounds the distillery. Once Furneaux’s vision was complete and the paint had been applied to canvas as a finished work, the final piece was scanned and then divided into 220 individual equal portions, one for each hand-applied label, giving every bottle from the cask its own unique appearance.

On the back of each bottle is another label containing the details of the liquid. Each label is individually numbered, and each bottle is packed in a matching wooden presentation case with a corresponding number etched into the top. For more information and detailed imagery of the production process, please click here.

The ten bottles are each contained with a carved wooden presentation case fixed with brass tube hinges. The cases have been lovingly produced and finished by hand and measured perfectly to fit the trunk itself. The solid oak trunk is laser engraved and gold gilded with the cask number and The Balvenie logo, then finished with Renaissance wax. For more information on the production process of these presentation cases, please click here.

World Wide Fund for Nature

The WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is a global conservation organization that works to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. It focuses on issues like wildlife conservation, climate change, deforestation, oceans and freshwater ecosystems, and promoting sustainable practices. The WWF partners with governments, communities, and businesses to create long-term solutions for a healthier planet.

The King’s Trust

The King’s Trust, formerly known as The Prince’s Trust, is a UK-based charity founded in 1976 by King Charles III (then Prince of Wales). Its mission is to support young people aged 11 to 30 who are facing challenges such as unemployment, educational difficulties, mental health issues, or risk of exclusion. The Trust offers programs that help young individuals build confidence, gain skills, and find pathways into education, employment, or entrepreneurship. Since its inception, The King’s Trust has assisted over a million young people in the UK and has expanded its reach internationally, operating in more than 20 countries. Through various initiatives, it continues to empower youth to transform their lives and achieve their potential.

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

Our May 2025 Auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from 7pm (GMT) Friday 16th May until 7pm (GMT) Sunday 25th May 2025.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Macallan – 52 Year Old (2018 Release)

Glenlivet – 12 Year Old (1964) Peter Dominic Ltd

Karuizawa – 1981 (Single Cask #818) Sumo Label

St. Magdalene – 18 Year Old (1964)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.

MAY 2025 AUCTION ENDING SOON!

We are almost at the end of our Mayl auction but there is still time to take a closer look at a few of the interesting bottles on offer, starting with this newly released bottle of Macallan Art Is The Flower, inspired by the architectural design of world famous Scottish designer Charles Rennie MackIntosh.

Or how about this gorgeous bottle, distilled at Mortlach Distillery in 1984. Although there is no age specified, this expression was bottled in 2014 meaning that it was aged for around 30 years before being bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for their their iconic house label design.

Released in 1987 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Glenfiddich distillery, this Pure Malt was actually bottled on Cristmas Day 1986, exactly ninety-nine years after the first spirit was distilled at Glenfiddich! Presented in an unusual frosted glass bottle.

These well known bottling’s have been made available to the workers of the distilleries in what is now the Diageo portfolio for many years. Annually released from a single distillery in that portfolio, the distillery manager is tasked to choose the finest casks from that distillery to produce this yearly malt, which is then bottled at Cask strength in limited numbers. This particular expression was distilled at Caol Ila Distillery, aged 12 years and then bottled at Cask strength.

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our March auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 18^th May from 8pm UK time.

MAY 2025 AUCTION HALFWAY THROUGH!

Our May auction is already at the halfway point, which is a great time to take a closer look at some of the fascinating bottles on offer, including this little stunner from Springbank. Distilled in 1974 and aged for 25 years before being bottled to commemorate Frank McHardy’s 40 years of distilling in the whisky industry. Bottle number 115 of only 610 bottles produced for the impressive milestone.

Distilled in 1990 at Speyside Distillery, aged for 10 years and then drawn from Cask #1, this is the first spirit to come from the new stills, intended to mark the arrival of the new millennium in 2000. This beautifully presented crystal decanter is housed in a Mahogany tantalus and display case accompanied with a striking booklet with all the information about the exclusive bottling and miniature housed in a metal canister. The tantalus can be locked with ornate key provided, allowing you to truly keep your bottle under lock and key! Fittingly, one of 2,000 decanters produced – decanter number 468.

Another little nod to the millennium, this bottle was distilled in 2000 at Macallan Distillery, drawn from single Cask #3241 then bottled at cask strength in 2022 by independent bottling giants Gordon & MacPhail. For decades The Elgin firm have regularly bought stock from Macallan, being a more cost effective way of enjoying an older dram from this world famous Speyside distillery.

Released in early 2025, the eighth installment of the Folio series showcases the memorable “Colossus of Nose” advertising campaign from the 1980’s, a clever play on the Colossus of Rhodes, highlighting Macallan’s description of their whisky possessing a ‘unique towering aroma’.

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our May auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 18^th May from 8pm BST.

Sotheby’s Presents for Auction:

The Dalmore 52 Year Old Luminary No.3 The Rare

A 52 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Housed in a Unique Bronze Sculpture Designed by Ben Dobbin of Renowned Architecture Practice, Foster + Partners

 *Collaboration Officially Launched in Venice Yesterday Evening*

Online Auction in Hong Kong Open for Bidding until 16 May 2025

HONG KONG & LONDON, 8 May 2025 – Following the unveiling in Venice, Italy, yesterday evening of The Dalmore’s collaboration with Foster + Partners’ Ben Dobbin on the 2025 edition of the distillery’s prestigious Luminary Series, bidding is now open on ‘The Rare’ – an exceptionally rare 52-year-old Single Malt whisky housed in a unique bronze sculpture designed by Dobbin. Estimated at HK$800,000-1,600,000 (US$100,000-200,000), the decanter and accompanying sculpture are being offered as part of Sotheby’s Hong Kong sale of Finest & Rarest Spirits. All proceeds from the sale of this third chapter of the Luminary Series will again be donated to The Dalmore’s partner, V&A Dundee, Scotland’s Design Museum.

Only two sculptures will ever be made of The Dalmore Luminary 2025 Edition. One set will be offered at auction, with the second to be displayed at The Dalmore Distillery in the Scottish Highlands. One final singular decanter will be reserved for The Dalmore’s private archive. The sculpture and decanter being offered for auction goes on view from today at Sotheby’s Maison in Hong Kong, situated in Landmark Chater in the heart of the city.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whisky & Spirits, said: “The Dalmore is synonymous with exceptional Single Malt whisky and everything that entails – the people, the geography, the history and the flavour. They have perfected their craft over many decades, with unique limited offerings. Celebrating the worlds of whisky artistry and architectural design, the Luminary Series is the ultimate showcase of the skills of all those who have worked together so brilliantly on this long-term project.  Speaking on behalf of Sotheby’s, it has been a real pleasure to be a part of this journey, alongside V&A Dundee, from the very beginning as we now offer exclusively the third iteration in the series.”

The co-creation between Ben Dobbin of renowned architecture practice Foster + Partners – whose projects include the iconic Apple Park and the revitalisation of the Transamerica Pyramid – and The Dalmore’s renowned whisky makers, Gregg Glass and Richard Paterson OBE – shines a light on the worlds of whisky making artistry and architectural design. Reflections on the power of the landscape and the natural world were a key part of the exchange between the team, with Dobbin captivated by the ebb and flow of the topography surrounding The Dalmore’s Highland distillery, from the finely engineered bridges to the lochs. The resulting asymmetric sculpture made of bronze features dramatic waves and brass rods, smooth curves and straight lines, in precisely balanced tension.

When creating the whisky – the oldest to be released in The Luminary Series – The Dalmore whisky makers took inspiration from Dobbin’s personal tastes and preferences into the creative process. They revisited a special set of Calvados casks, which the team had the foresight to lay down before the French brandy was approved as a cask finish by the Scotch Whisky authorities in 2019. Matured in American White Oak ex-Bourbon barrels, the whisky has been finished in a complex cask assemblage of Vintage 1980 Calvados, 1940 Colheita Port, Tawny Port, Pedro Ximénez Sherry aged 40 Years, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The Dalmore Luminary Series 2025 Edition follows two earlier collaborations, firstly with Kengo Kuma (the acclaimed architect that created Japan’s National Stadium) and Maurizio Mucciola, designers of the landmark V&A Dundee, and last year with Melodie Leung, renowned designer and Director at Zaha Hadid Associates, whose portfolio includes The Henderson Building in Hong Kong.

The Luminary Series directly supports The Dalmore’s partnership with V&A Dundee. Since forming their partnership in 2020 and the inception of The Luminary Series, The Dalmore has donated over £200,000 to the museum to aid in their design and community work both locally and globally.

The designer’s proof of The Dalmore Luminary 2025 Edition sculpture and “dummy” decanter will join The Dalmore Luminary 2022 Edition and 2024 Edition on public display at V&A Dundee from 14 May, ahead of the museum’s ‘Garden Futures’ exhibition, which officially opens on 17 May. One further proof and model decanter will be held in Foster + Partner’s private archive.

TASTING NOTES

• Aroma: Baked red apples, honey, sugared almonds, and soft wood spice
• Tasting notes: Rich caramel, apple crumble, dark chocolate, and blood orange
• Finishing notes: Vanilla, tarte tatin, marzipan, and liquorice
• Natural colour, non-chill filtered, natural strength, bottle at the whisky maker’s discretion – select strength 40.3% ABV

THE LUMINARY NO.1 & NO.2 AT SOTHEBY’S

• Sotheby’s sold The Dalmore 48 Year Old Luminary No. 1 Rare for £118,750 / US$137,900 in November 2022, and The Dalmore 49 Year Old Luminary No.2 The Rare for £93,750 / US$117,400 in May 2024. 

FURTHER RESULTS OF SOTHEBY’S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DALMORE

• At Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2021, the only complete collection of The Dalmore Decades – a one-of-a-kind set of six vintage single malts spanning 1951 to 2000 – direct from the distillery, sold for HK$8,750,000 / US$1,124,000 / £830,000.
• At Sotheby’s London in May 2019, The Dalmore L’Anima Aged 49 Years, a one-of-a-kind Scotch whisky bottling created by The Dalmore and Massimo Bottura, sold for £108,900 / US$140,350. 

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

About The Dalmore

Founded in 1839 on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years. The 12-point silver stag which proudly adorns each bottle was bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. The stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878. The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows The Dalmore’s renowned whisky makers to develop spirit over longer periods, continuing a tradition of visionary whisky-making as they fully express their art using rare casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.

About V&A Dundee

V&A Dundee is Scotland’s design museum. Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the museum is at the centre of Dundee’s reimagined waterfront and is part of the V&A family of museums that celebrate creativity in all its forms from across centuries, for everyone. V&A Dundee features world-class exhibitions alongside the permanent Scottish Design Galleries, and a changing programme of commissions, events and activities. The V&A and The Dalmore share a historic legacy of pioneering work and innovation. Founded in 1839, The Dalmore holds exclusive use of the royal 12-pointed stag emblem after the Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, the distillery’s historic owners, saved King Alexander III from a charging stag. Just over a decade later, in 1852, the V&A was founded with a mission to educate designers, manufacturers and the public in art and design. This followed the Great Exhibition of 1851 which was created and championed by Prince Albert. From their respective homes in Scotland, both V&A Dundee and The Dalmore are integral community and cultural hubs at the heart of the region. Today, both V&A Dundee and The Dalmore are proud champions of Scottish culture and unite to celebrate a relentless pursuit of excellence. Their collaboration is anchored in exporting shared purpose, talent and stories, and in curating and advocating exceptional design and craftsmanship.

About Ben Dobbin

Ben Dobbin is a British-born architect, designer, and digital artist who grew up in England. He studied architecture at Edinburgh University, where he developed an interest in the interaction between contemporary design and historical contexts.  In 2001 he joined globally recognised architects Foster + Partners, where he worked under the guidance of Norman Foster on notable projects including The Gherkin building in London, EY Headquarters in Amsterdam. Ben was a key design team leader at Apple Park in California, where he now lives and leads the San Francisco office.  He was also design team lead on the revitalisation of the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. Throughout his career, Dobbin has pursued his passion for art; creating abstract digital works exploring themes of synaesthesia, landscape, music, and memory.

About Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners is an award-winning global studio for architecture, urbanism and design, rooted in sustainability, which was founded in 1967 by Norman Foster. Since then, the practice has established an international reputation for thoughtful and pioneering design, working as a single studio that is both ethnically and culturally diverse. The studio integrates the skills of architecture with engineering, both structural and environmental, urbanism, interior and industrial design and many more. These diverse skills make Foster + Partners capable of tackling a wide range of projects, particularly those of considerable complexity and scale. Key projects include headquarters for Apple, Bloomberg and Comcast, the ‘Gherkin’ building, the Great Court at the British Museum and the Millennium Bridge in London.

MAY 2025 AUCTION NOW LIVE!

We are delighted that our May auction is now LIVE! As always, we have an interesting selection of bottles from a variety of distilleries. There are some nice vintages this month, including this gorgeous and hard to find Highland Park 1968 offering, aged for 35 years before being bottled at Cask strength as part of their Cask Strength Collection.

How about this 5cl miniature? This little gem must surely be one of the most recognisable bottles in the world of whisky. Commissioned in 1996 by Private Eye to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the magazine. The unusual screen-printed label design was created by magazine illustrator Ralph Steadman. The whisky itself was vatted using a combination of Casks including a 35 year old Cask from 1961, the same year that Private Eye was founded.

Released in 1997 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Highland distillery Tomatin, this ornate crystal decanter is presented in the shape of a pot still, with the stopper shaped as the top of the still. This is number 60 of 1,000 decanters produced for the impressive milestone.

Released in September 2024 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Macallan Distillery, Time: Space Mastery is stunningly presented in a curiously shaped circular bottle representing life’s enduring cycle, paying homage to the history and story of the distillery and It’s age old whisky making processes.

These are only a few of the old, limited and collectable bottles featured in our May 2025 Auction, to view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 18^th May from 8pm BST.

Our collection schedule for May 2025 has now been finalised.  The Aberdeen collection will now start at 10am. Our South West London and East London collections will now start at 9.30am. Please click HERE to see the list of dates, locations and to register your interest in the collection service.

We can collect lots for up to three auctions.

The deadline for collection requests is 12noon on Monday 12th May 2025.

Home collections are available for those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000. Lots can be split over the next three auctions.

Unfortunately this service is not available in London or to those customer who live within 10 miles of a collection point. Although we do have four collection points in London.

Collections are limited and offered on a first come first served basis. It is essential that a submission sheet is completed, you can find the link to do so under the selling section on your ‘My SWA’ page.

It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift with your name clearly marked on the front of the box.

A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc. VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Sotheby’s to Offer Bowmore ARC-54: The ‘Iridos Edition’,

A Unique Decanter Designed by Aston Martin

Featuring an Equally Unique 54-Year-Old Whisky from the

Bowmore Distillery

 Online Auction Open for Bidding from 15 to 29 May 2025

LONDON, 1 May 2025 – This spring, Sotheby’s will present at auction Bowmore ARC-54: Iridos Edition, a unique decanter designed by Aston Martin housing an equally unique 54-Year-Old whisky from Bowmore Distillery on Islay, Scotland. The offering marks Sotheby’s latest partnership with Bowmore following the sale of the Iridos Edition’s predecessor – the one-of-a-kind Bowmore ARC-52 Mokume Edition – in 2023.

Crafted from some of Bowmore’s oldest vintages from the 1960s by Calum Fraser, Chief Blender, the bespoke single malt was drawn from two cask types: a 1967 European oak butt, a 1968 Sherry butt and a 1968 American oak hogshead. The mid to late 1960s at Bowmore is considered a golden era, a period during which the famed Black Bowmore was distilled. The vintages produced have gone on to become highly sought after by collectors.

Bowmore ARC-54 Iridos Edition will be offered by Sotheby’s London in an online auction of Finest Whisky, open for bidding from 15 to 29 May, with an estimate of £140,000-220,000 ($180,000-300,000). Proceeds from the auction will benefit the communities which support Suntory Global Spirits’ distilleries in Scotland.  This follows on from the donation of the proceeds from the auction of Bowmore ARC-52 Mokume Edition to the Islay community.

This one-off release calls on the world of automotive engineering from Aston Martin Valkyrie for its distinctly complex design. The striking shape of the handblown decanter takes inspiration from the F1-inspired aerodynamic exterior of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, as well as the full-length venturi tunnels that contribute to in the region of 1,100 kg of downforce, and the natural fluid forms of the terroir of Islay.

Taking its name from the Latin origin of the word combining ‘rainbow’ and ‘iridescent’, the titanium top of the decanter has been created using the same process applied to the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s exhaust system. Milled from a single billet of titanium, it was then subjected to extreme changes in temperature, both hot and cold – like the exhaust of the Valkyrie – to create a unique iridescent bluing patternation on the metal. The finish achieved is visually and technically stunning, with multi-layered facets of colours emerging from every angle.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Whisky & Spirits, said: “This marks the second partnership between Sotheby’s and Bowmore to offer at auction a completely unique version of their Aston Martin ARC collaboration. The ARC-54 Iridos not only features its distinctive iridescent lid, complimenting the aerodynamic Aston Martin design, but within the bottle itself is an individual whisky so rare that only one bottle has been made available for sale. In the last few years, Bowmore have consistently achieved the highest results for unique bottles combining age, rarity, vintage specificity and stunning design, so it’s a special moment for us to be entrusted once again with their latest creation.”

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, commented: “This remarkable one-off creation is testament to the cutting edge, technology-based collaboration between two exceptional brands that are steeped in heritage and tradition. ARC-54 Iridos embodies the innovative thinking that we apply to Valkyrie and Valhalla, our mid-engined sports cars.  Both of these cars push the boundaries of technology through materials, aerodynamics and performance.  In creating the ARC-54 decanter, similar principles of materiality and fluid dynamics are employed, replacing air flow for liquid movement to create a uniquely formed shape generated by the pure movement of Bowmore whisky. A truly creative collaboration.”

Calum Fraser, Chief Blender at Bowmore, said: “This is a whisky which tells a rich and captivating story, beginning in the definitive era of Bowmore and taking shape over more than half a century. In bringing together some of our oldest and rarest whiskies, we showcase not only the infinite layers of flavour achievable in Bowmore but the sheer excellence of just how our spirit excels in cask over time. The intensity of the tropical fruits together with indulgently rich sweetness is truly enticing and makes for the most intriguing and inspired partner for this incredible decanter.”

Sotheby’s has set records for both Bowmore and Aston Martin in recent years:

• In October 2023, a bottle of Bowmore STAC 55-Year-Old 1962 presented in a hand-blown, 1.5l black glass vessel sold for £562,500
• In May 2023, the predecessor of ARC-54 Iridos, ARC-52 Mokume sold for £187,500
• In December 2021, a bottle of Bowmore Onyx 51-Year-Old 1970 – presented in a hand-blown, 1.4l black glass vessel – sold for £400,000
• In February 2021, a bottle of Black Bowmore Aston Martin DB5 sold for $118,750
• In 2017 a DB1/1 sold by RM Sotheby’s in California realised $22.5 million, making it the most valuable British car ever sold at auction

Bowmore ARC-54 Iridos Edition tasting notes: 

CASK TYPES: Oloroso Sherry seasoned European oak butt, refill Sherry butt, American oak ex-bourbon hogshead.

AGE: 54 Years Old, vatting of 1967 and 1968

ABV: 42.3% 

Tasting notes

ON THE EYE: Burnished chestnut.

BREATHE IN: Luscious, sweet, rich and complex. Polished mahogany intertwined with tropical fruit notes of soft peach, guava, desiccated coconut and gently charred ripe pineapple. The uplifting tropical fruit notes are further elevated with hints of citric orange zest are balanced harmoniously with indulgent rich fruit notes of honeyed figs, dates and moist sultanas in addition to chocolate orange with hints of sweet cinnamon together with herbal and minty notes of menthol.

TASTE: An abundance of tropical and citrus fruits layered with hints of toasted almonds and delicate Islay peat smoke. Lemon meringue, mandarin oranges, peaches in syrup and mango captivate the palate, and lead to rich notes of toasted oak, cocoa powder and creamy fudge.

SAVOUR: Long, smooth tropical fruits notes, notably passion fruit with sensations of sweet spice and gentle peat in the background

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby’s app for iOS and Android.

ABOUT BOWMORE®

For over 240 years, Bowmore distillery has stood on the shores of Lochindaal. Here facing the wild Atlantic Ocean, is home to the legendary No.1 Vaults and the mysterious alchemy within. We are more than an Islay distillery. We are the oldest licensed distillery here.

Since 1779, we’ve been harnessing time in the creation of our exceptional Bowmore whiskies. This time has enabled us to hone our skills and make intentional choices. This means only Bowmore can unlock the depth and breadth of character.

From the careful and intentional ethos at the heart of the Bowmore distillery, every step and stage of the process is considered. We put flavour first. Taking traditional techniques and uniting them with creative vision we can ensure that each component plays its part. From floor maltings and peat smoke drying, to the long fermentation and slow distillation. The result of this precise and measured approach can be seen in the distinct flavours that Bowmore is famous for.  A truly multidimensional whisky always promising more layers of flavour.

Every bottle of Bowmore celebrates our ability to mature with excellence, aging like no other to capture the definitive expressive character of Bowmore.  Over time, our spirit evolves perfectly in cask, creating an enviable inventory of maturing stock and enabling an iconic archive of releases.

Our signature; a remarkably expressive character.  We are defined by rich and fruity flavours with a smouldering complexity. Each sip of Bowmore is truly captivating. It beckons you, holding your full attention, pulling you into the present moment. This is the uniquely mesmerising magic which always reveals more, in every moment, in every sip. From flavour to flair, there is always more in the glass and in the moment.

www.bowmore.com

ABOUT ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA

 Aston Martin’s vision is to be the world’s most desirable, ultra-luxury British brand, creating the most exquisitely addictive performance cars.

Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, Aston Martin is acknowledged as an iconic global brand synonymous with style, luxury, performance, and exclusivity. Aston Martin fuses the latest technology, time honoured craftsmanship and beautiful styling to produce a range of critically acclaimed luxury models including the Vantage, DB12, DBS, DBX and its first hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Aligned with its Racing. Green. sustainability strategy, Aston Martin is also developing alternatives to the internal combustion engine, with an ambition to create the world’s most thrilling and highly desirable electric performance cars, the first of which is targeted for launch in 2026.

Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates, and exports cars which are sold in 56 countries around the world. Its sports cars are manufactured in Gaydon with its luxury DBX SUV range proudly manufactured in St Athan, Wales. The company is on track to deliver net-zero manufacturing facilities by 2030.

Lagonda was founded in 1899 and came together with Aston Martin in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown, and the company is now listed on the London Stock Exchange as Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc.

2020 saw Lawrence Stroll become the company’s Executive Chairman, alongside significant new investment. This coincided with Aston Martin’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team and commenced a new era for the iconic British marque.