Bowmore takes whisky lovers on sherry and oak journey with 20 Year Old Captivo Collection

Bowmore has joined forces with design studio Snarkitecture for a pair of 20 Year Old single malts. This is Snarkitecture’s first venture into whisky; the design studio is better known for its experimental, arty approach to architecture.

Co-founder Alex Mustonen travelled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscape and Bowmore’s historic No.1 Vaults, one of the world’s oldest maturation warehouses.

Those influences have been translated into vivid bottle and packaging designs built around the idea of portals. Each is intended to invite drinkers to experience a different aspect of Bowmore’s character.

The Captivo Collection comprises the Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage and Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit. Here’s how they compare…

Co-founder Alex Mustonen travelled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscape and Bowmore’s historic No.1 Vaults..

Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage tasting notes

Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage has spent two decades maturing in American oak ex-bourbon casks before a final period in American oak Oloroso sherry butts. The aim being to bring additional richness and complexity to Bowmore’s familiar combination of fruit, sweetness and delicate smoke.

Bottled at 50.8% ABV, Oak Voyage has a warm, rich chestnut colour. On the nose, salted toffee, dried fruits and orange peel are joined by tobacco and honey.

Flavours cited include dark cherry, candied orange and Manuka honey, with a cooling note of eucalyptus and toasted oak adding another layer. The finish is smooth and sweet, with vanilla and a delicate whisper of campfire smoke.

Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit tasting notes

Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit takes a rather different journey from its sibling, to the sherry bodegas of Spain, and is offered as a global travel retail exclusive.

It’s the more adventurous of the two releases, with the sherry influence bringing additional spice and tropical character to Bowmore’s measured Islay smoke.

The 20-year-old expression has matured in a combination of Spanish oak Oloroso sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon casks, before receiving a finish in an Oloroso sherry hogshead.

Bottled at a slightly higher 51.8% ABV, Sherry Cask Pursuit presents bright tawny hues and an aromatic nose of honeycomb, mango and warm vanilla custard.

The palate reports dry, earthy peat smoke together with cracked black peppercorns, treacle and warming spices. Tropical fruit, soft oak and smoked toffee develop through the taste, leading to layers of sweet, billowing peat smoke and a long finish with a suggestion of charred mango.

A portal into the extraordinary 

Dr Calum Fraser, master blender, Scotch and Irish at Suntory Global Spirits, said: “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.”

“Stepping into the world of whisky is a first for Snarkitecture,” said Alex Mustonen. “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.”

He added: “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.”

The Bowmore Captivo Collection Oak Voyage is priced at £312 and is available at Harrods from September 1, before rolling out to the US, Asia, Northern Europe and Canada.

Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit is bottled at 51.8% ABV and priced at £320. The expression will be available through select global travel retail locations later this year. Both are available from Bowmore.com. 

Explore the wider Bowmore range at The Whisky Exchange.