Bowmore Sells Oldest Whisky for £562,500
The Distillers One of One auction racked up another impressive sale where the Bowmore STAC stole the moment with a record sale price. The whisky auction is being held at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh, in partnership with Sotheby’s.
The 41% ABV rare single malt was distilled in 1962 and stored in oak hogsheads in the distillery’s No.1 Vault. It was presented in an unusual vessel modeled after the island’s surroundings.
There are notes of sweet orchard fruits, clover honey, pineapples, subtle honeydew melon, pecan nuts, honeysuckle, menthol, vanilla, and ocean minerality on the lips.
The Bowmore Stac Description
In his review of the whisky, Richard Woodard noted that it comes in an “irresistibly tactile, slab-like bottle” that is the result of many, many abandoned attempts to achieve the perfect design.
“There appears to be no air inside it – the liquid reaches all the way to the top – but some clever physics (reputedly inspired by a cigarette lighter) has concealed the air bubble from sight. Pouring a dram, you sense, will require a little bit of effort and dexterity,” Woodard noted.
The Distillers’ Charity created The Youth Action Fund to support disadvantaged young adults in Scotland with proceeds from the One of One auction. Providing young people with opportunities to develop life skills, discover their values, and become job-ready, the fund will work with charities that offer education and vocational training
The charity auction features 39 lots of extraordinary and never-to-be-repeated whiskies. All are direct from Scottish distilleries, along with a series of experiences for the successful bidders. This is the second auction since it inauguration in 2021.
In a statement, Robbie Millar, managing director at Scotch & Irish brand house at Beam Suntory, said that Bowmore was honored by the importance given to its expressions and spirits.
“The sale of the oldest ever Bowmore whisky today is a landmark in the story of this incredible distillery. At Bowmore, we are proud that our whiskies are considered such sought-after items amongst collectors and whisky connoisseurs globally and STAC further demonstrates just how exceptional Bowmore spirit ages and captures flavour so exceptionally over time.
“Vitally, the purpose of the auction is paramount as it gives back to a truly worthy cause in Scotland providing a positive impact for years to come. At Beam Suntory, we have a long-standing commitment to supporting our communities across Scotland so this result allows us to keep driving this ambition forward.”
