Rare bottles and signature flavour profile: Why these single malt whiskies are highly coveted

AS ALL WHISKY ENTHUSIASTS KNOW, every sip is an adventure and every bottle tells a story. This is certainly true of Bowmore's expressions.

The distillery, located on the island of Islay in Scotland, has a reputation for producing some of the world's most collectible single malt Scotch whiskies, including rare bottlings like the ARC-52, a collaboration with British automaker Aston Martin - only 100 of them exist.

And then there are exceptional aged statements like the one-off STAC 55 Year Old, the oldest whisky released by Bowmore.

Little wonder that auction house Sotheby's recognised Bowmore as the second most collectible single malt, and fourth most collectible spirits brand in its 2021 market report.

You only need to take a look at the bottle designs of the ARC-52 and STAC 55 Year Old to know that they are not your average whiskies. Instead, they are sculpted trophies designed to take pride of place in your study, atop the console in your formal dining room, or in your climate-controlled salon.

The ARC-52 resembles a futuristic contraption with its sensuously curved glass vessel and conical metal cap that is unlocked by a magnetic key. The precious liquid inside has been slumbering for 52 years in sherry and bourbon casks. Its flavour profile? Notes of exotic fruits, praline and butterscotch, which leave a lasting, smooth and memorable finish.

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Meanwhile, the STAC 55 Year Old is housed in a tapering tower of glass made to resemble the rocky landscape that characterises the rugged Islay coastline. On the palate, the whisky dances between tropical fruits, cocoa nibs, dark-roasted coffee, toasted oak spices and peat smoke.

At a Sotheby's charity auction on Oct 5 this year, the prized Scotch whisky went under the hammer for a staggering £562,500 (S$936,000).

Explaining Bowmore's eminent collectability, Daryl Haldane, Beam Suntory's private client director, says: "The rich stories behind these expressions, along with their age, complex flavour profiles from years of maturation, limited availability, as well as unique design elements, come together to make Bowmore's releases exceptional and highly sought-after.

Liquor manufacturer Beam Suntory is the parent company of Bowmore. "For example, the ARC-52 underwent a 52-year maturation in a single American oak ex-Bourbon hogshead. Its rarity further adds to its value and creates the desire and luxury credentials of the Bowmore distillery. The STAC 55 Year Old is a remarkable Bowmore creation for collectors," adds Haldane.

At Bowmore, the manufacturing process, which is made up of eight steps, demonstrates how much pride the whisky maker takes in crafting each batch.

Pointing to the very first step, Haldane explains: "Bowmore has its own malt barn to ensure the careful selection of ingredients. It also employs traditional techniques such as floor malting, where the barley is manually hand-turned by maltmen every few hours over a few days.

"Every step along the way thereafter, such as peat smoke-drying, the lengthy fermentation process, and slow distillation, are all similarly carried out meticulously to produce quality whiskies."

For each Bowmore creation to have its complex array of flavours, the maturation stage plays arguably the most important role.

"The whisky casks are also casks that previously have held bourbon and sherry, resulting in a truly unique maturation process," shares Haldane. This way, the whiskies can develop different colours and personalities.

Bowmore whiskies are matured for a minimum of nine years in its warehouses, with the most famous one being the No 1 Vaults. There, the casks gradually absorb the Islay sea air, giving the spirit in them a unique coastal flavour profile, expressed with exuberant flavours of fruit one would not expect from a whisky of Islay.

Besides its single malt whiskies being easy on the palate, the variety of expressions in the brand's portfolio, from the Bowmore 12 Year Old to the exceptionally aged and rare collections, makes it highly approachable.

From novices and enthusiasts to connoisseurs and diehard collectors, everyone will find a flavour that suits his or her palate.

Younger expressions lean towards orchard fruits, while as the whisky ages, tropical fruit notes intensify thanks to the long fermentation process.

Take the Bowmore Timeless 29 Year Old, for instance. Having been matured in a combination of European oak sherry-seasoned casks and American oak bourbon casks for nearly three decades, it boasts a fruity aroma - hints of sherry-soaked raisins, orange marmalade and maraschino cherries hit your nose instantly.

On the palate, you will taste notes of warm pear and fruit cake before it finishes with dry peatiness and sea-saltiness on the lips.

In the course of his work, Haldane routinely connects with discerning spirits drinkers and collectors, introducing them to rare bottlings. But he also welcomes those who are curious about Bowmore's offerings. He says: "It comes down to flavour for me. Price and packaging play a key part in the overall proposition of any product, but we must also taste and appreciate what we, and those before us, created.

"I want to work with people who appreciate our single malts, who want to open their bottles and share our story. That, for me, is what single malts are all about."

Established in 1779, Bowmore holds the distinction of being the oldest licensed distillery in Islay, Scotland. It also still adheres to its time-honoured traditions and techniques till today.

As Daryl Haldane, Beam Suntory's private client director explains: "Bowmore is home to one of eight malting floors in Scotland, retaining a traditional way of hand-turning malt in the whisky-making process. "As an island distillery, it is rare to have such an inventory of ageing stock as most island distilleries tend not to have much by way of old whiskies maturing in their warehouses and would rather modernise their whisky-making."

However, this allows Bowmore to age its whiskies for longer than 30 years, distinguishing the distillery from others in the market. The name "Bowmore" comes from "bogha mor" or "bodha mor", meaning a large hidden or tidal rock. It is a reference to the black reefs that line the shores of Loch Indaal, a sea inlet on Islay. Islay itself is the southernmost of Scotland's Hebrides islands, surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean.

This connection to the sea sets the stage for Bowmore's distinctive character: Bowmore's No 1 Vaults, which are one of the world's oldest maturation warehouses, are perched on the edge of Loch Indaal.

The maritime environment, with its higher moisture content and cooler temperatures, shapes the taste of Bowmore's whiskies. After years of soaking up the sea breeze, the casks produce a complex but harmonious blend of maritime minerality, mild Islay smokiness and an abundance of fresh stone fruit notes.

Bowmore's production process is guided by a series of three fundamental philosophies: Crafted with Intent; Ages Like No Other; and Exceptionally Expressive. Crafted with Intent is like Bowmore's daily affirmation, meant to instil purpose in every step of the whisky-making process.

Ages Like No Other highlights the distillery's distinctive approach to ageing. Here, the maritime location of the distillery's iconic No 1 Vaults, which are among the oldest Scotch maturation warehouses in the world, lend depth and character to each cask.

Thanks to the combination of its rich heritage, traditional techniques, unique yeast strains, and the influence of Islay's environment, the Bowmore whiskies turn out Exceptionally Expressive.

Its house style is rich and fruity with a hint of peat smoke and a smouldering complexity overall.

Click here to find out more about Bowmore and its craft of whisky-making. Alternatively, drop a note here for further enquiries.