Morrison Bowmore, which claims to be Islay’s first single malt distillery, said the 54-year-old expression is not only this the oldest whisky the distillery has launched, it is also the oldest Islay single malt ever released.
Distilled in 1957 and bottled in 2011, it has been in oak for over half a century in Bowmore’s No. 1 Vaults, the oldest maturation warehouse in Scotland, said Morrison Bowmore.
Twelve bottles have been made available to global markets, with Morrison Bowmore expecting the release to become one of the most sought-after and collectible single malt scotches in the world.
Bottles No.1 and No.2 will be offered at a public auction at international auction house Bonhams in Edinburgh on Oct 10 and in New York City on Oct 28 with a minimum reserve set at £100,000 per bottle (approx. $155,000).
Net proceeds from both sales will be donated to five Scottish charities.
Bowmore 1957 follows the release of Bowmore 1964 (£8,000, 42.9% abv) and Bowmore 1985 (£300, 52.3%). There are 72 bottles of the 1964 and 747 bottles of the 1985.
