The Captivo Collection comprises two 20-year-old single malts; Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit and Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage. Each has a story of provenance and exploration, brought to life through the whisky and the vivid bottle and packaging designs.
Travelling from New York to Islay, Snarkitecture co-founder Alex Mustonen drew inspiration from the island's natural landscape and the hidden depths of the distillery, including Bowmore No.1 Vaults, one of the world's oldest maturation warehouses.
Mr Mustonen translated these influences into striking portal designs reflecting a journey of discovery, and a cultural fascination with stepping beyond the surface. The whiskies mirror this, with each expression offering a portal into Bowmore, created decades ago and experienced in the present.
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Mr Mustonen said: “Stepping into the world of whisky is a first for Snarkitecture. I drew similarities between how Bowmore’s whisky is made, and how I approach an architectural environment. In architecture, spaces and objects invite people to look again and question their assumptions. I discovered whisky-making shares a similar philosophy, rewarding time, patience, and curiosity.
“I think about my projects as moments for people to cross thresholds into spaces that feel unlike day-to-day experiences. I approached the Captivo creative in a similar way, with the artwork acting as a portal into the world of Bowmore; into something extraordinary.”
Each whisky is represented by its own portal to reflect its individual character.
Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage showcases the influence that time and purposefully selected oak casks have on Bowmore’s spirit, and the journey the whisky undertakes to develop its flavours locked within the wood.
This expression has matured for two decades in American oak ex-Bourbon casks and finally aged in American oak Oloroso sherry butts, to optimise richness and complexity.
The team say that the whisky opens with notes of dark cherry, candied orange, and Manuka honey, complemented by an unexpected touch of cool eucalyptus and toasted oak, and finishing with smooth vanilla sweetness and a delicate whisper of campfire smoke.
Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit, which is a global travel retail exclusive, offers new dimensions of flavour with the influence of Spain.
This expression has matured in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry and American oak ex-bourbon casks, with an Oloroso sherry hogshead finish, providing tropical fruit and cracked black pepper notes, balanced by soft oak and smoked toffee, with a lingering finish of sweet peat smoke and a touch of charred mango.
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Dr Calum Fraser, master blender, Scotch and Irish at Suntory Global Spirits, said of the releases: “These beautifully aged whiskies are intentionally designed to reward exploration and reveal layers of flavour over time.
"While Bowmore's signature style remains at their heart, balancing citrus, sweetness, and delicate smoky notes, each expression showcases the influence of different oak casks in a distinct way.
“The richness of Oak Voyage and the smooth sweetness of Sherry Cask Pursuit demonstrate the remarkable impact of time and cask selection. Snarkitecture has captured that sense of discovery brilliantly, creating designs that express the individuality of each whisky, while remaining true to Bowmore's heritage.”
The Bowmore Captivo Collection Oak Voyage (50.8% ABV) is priced at £312. Bowmore Captivo Collection Sherry Cask Pursuit (51.8% ABV) is £320 RSP. Both are available on Bowmore.com
Oak Voyage will be available in Harrods in the UK from 1 September, followed by the US, Asia, Northern Europe and Canada, with Sherry Cask Pursuit available in select global travel retail later this year.
