Bowmore Teams Up with Snarkitecture for Captivo 20yo

A Cross-Disciplinary Fusion of Contemporary Architectural Aesthetics and Legendary Whisky

Legendary Islay distillery Bowmore has announced a collaboration with internationally renowned design studio Snarkitecture to launch a brand-new limited-edition single malt whisky series, Bowmore 20 Year Old Captivo Collection. This partnership perfectly marries whisky-making craftsmanship with contemporary architectural aesthetics, featuring bottle and packaging designs spearheaded by Snarkitecture co-founder Alex Mustonen. Having visited the distillery region in person, he drew inspiration from the island's natural landscapes and one of the world's oldest maturing cellars, Bowmore No. 1 Vaults, guiding connoisseurs to break conventions and embark on a sensory journey exploring flavor and space.

Presenting Two Masterpieces Aged for Two Decades

This series presents two expressions aged for twenty years. The first is Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit at 51.8% ABV, inspired by the exploration history of Spanish sherry bodegas. Matured in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in Oloroso sherry hogsheads, it weaves together notes of tropical fruits, black pepper, smooth oak, and smoked toffee, with a finish of sweet peat smoke and charred mango. The second expression, Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage at 50.8% ABV, showcases the transformative power of time and cask selection. After maturing in American oak ex-bourbon barrels for twenty years, the whisky was transferred to American oak Oloroso sherry casks, releasing aromas of black cherries, candied orange peel, Manuka honey, crisp eucalyptus, and toasted oak, accompanied by vanilla sweetness and residual campfire smoke.

Suntory Global Spirits Master Blender Dr. Calum Fraser stated that while the series retains the distillery's signature core style of citrus, sweet fruit, and delicate smoke, it brilliantly showcases the extraordinary influence of cask aging and time. Designer Alex Mustonen noted that both winemaking and architecture demand time, patience, and curiosity, viewing the packaging art as a gateway to the extraordinary world of whisky. These two masterworks will roll out at Harrods in the UK, as well as entering travel retail and domestic markets across Asia, the US, Northern Europe, and Canada.

📅 Publish Date: 2026-08-19

🔗 Source: https://thewhiskywire.com/2026/08/19/bowmore-launches-new-20-year-old-collaborative-collection/