Bowmore 20 Year Old Captivo Travel Exclusive Whisky
Collaboration with New York Studio Snarkitecture: Sherry Hogshead Finishing and Global Travel Retail Rollout
Islay distillery Bowmore has announced a crossover partnership with New York-based design studio Snarkitecture to unveil the all-new 20-year-old single malt whisky, Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit. Released exclusively for global travel retail, the expression is part of the Captivo Collection consisting of two 20-year-old single malts. The new release will debut in China, India, and South Korea in November 2026, before rolling out across global duty-free channels in January 2027.
Interested? Explore all Bowmore whiskies
Cask Specifications and Flavor Profile
In terms of maturation, this Bowmore expression was aged in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry casks and American oak bourbon casks, before receiving a final finishing period in Oloroso sherry hogsheads, bottled at 51.8% ABV. Its companion release, Captivo Oak Voyage, is also aged 20 years but will be available exclusively in domestic retail markets.
Read More: What is a Sherry Cask? Complete Guide to PX, Oloroso, Flavor Profiles and Impact on Whisky
Official tasting notes describe layers of tropical fruit and cracked black pepper, balanced by soft oak and smoky toffee, leading into a finish of sweet peat smoke and charred mango nuances.
Master Blender's Cask Selection Philosophy and Bottle Design
Dr Calum Fraser, Chief Blender for Scotch and Irish Whiskies at Suntory Global Spirits, stated that this expression explores the profound connection between sherry oak and distillery spirit, demonstrating the transformative impact of time and cask selection while retaining Bowmore's signature tropical fruits, smoke, and complexity in a rich, intense profile. Vanessa Widmann, Managing Director Global Travel Retail MEA, noted that this release invites traveling whisky enthusiasts to explore distillery craftsmanship from an entirely new perspective.
The bottle and packaging were designed under the direction of Snarkitecture co-founder Alex Mustonen, drawing inspiration from Islay's natural landscape and the distillery's legendary Bowmore No.1 Vaults. Founded in 1779, Bowmore is part of Suntory Global Spirits, while Snarkitecture, established in 2008 by Alex Mustonen and Daniel Arsham, marks its inaugural venture into the world of whisky through this collaboration.
📅 Publication Date: 2026-10-20
🔗 Source: The Whiskey Wash