Bowmore Islay Single malt Whisky has released its fifth and final edition of its exclusive Black Bowmore 1964 distillation.

The Black Bowmore 50 Year Old, The Last Cask has spent 50 years in cask maturing in Bowmore’s No. 1 Vaults, the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouse, making it the most aged expression of this collectable series. 

The expression takes its name from the intense maturation in first-fill Olorosso sherry casks, which has imparted a deep black darkness to the colour of the whisky. 

Black Bowmore was first distilled on 5 November 1964 at the Bowmore distillery on Islay, and after four release (the first in 1993 and the last in 200&0, one last cask was rediscovered in the corner of the No.1 Vaults. 

The drink has developed “a sublime elegance”, to reveal notes of tropical fruit, and honeyed black truffle, complemented by the signature peat smoke notes of Bowmore. 

Distillery manager, David Turner, who’s grandfather worked on the original bottling more than 50 years ago, said: “The last cask of Black Bowmore to be rediscovered not only demonstrates the unparalleled depth and quality of our single malts but cements Bowmore as one of the world’s leading whiskies.”

Only 159 bottles will be available across the world and it is expected to become a collector’s whisky at £16,000 for a 70cl bottle; it is presented in a bespoke handmade cabinet. Just ten bottles will be available in the UK, at selected whisky specialists.