ISLAY, Scotland (Oct. 19, 2026) – Bowmore, Islay’s oldest licensed distillery, is introducing the limited-edition Bowmore Captivo Collection, a collaboration with internationally acclaimed design studio Snarkitecture that combines two 20-year-old single malt Scotch whiskies with architecture-inspired bottle and packaging designs.
The collection features two expressions: Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage, which will be available in the United States beginning in November, and Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit, a global travel retail exclusive launching in Taipei and Hong Kong later this year, with additional markets to follow.
The collaboration explores the connections between whisky-making and architectural design, bringing together craftsmanship, creativity and a shared interest in revealing unexpected experiences. Each expression offers a distinct interpretation of Bowmore’s heritage and the influence of oak cask maturation.
Alex Mustonen, co-founder of Snarkitecture, drew inspiration from Islay’s natural landscape and the hidden depths of Bowmore’s No. 1 Vaults, one of the world’s oldest maturation warehouses. Translating those influences into striking portal-inspired designs, Mustonen created packaging intended to evoke the experience of crossing a threshold into something extraordinary.
“Stepping into the world of whisky is a first for Snarkitecture,” Mustonen said. “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.”
Mustonen said the designs approach the collection as an invitation to explore beyond the familiar.
“I think about my projects as moments for people to cross thresholds into spaces that feel unlike day-to-day experiences,” he said. “I approached the Captivo creative in a similar way, with the artwork acting as a portal into the world of Bowmore; into something extraordinary.”
Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage
Bottled at 50.8% alcohol by volume, Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage highlights the influence of carefully selected oak casks on the distillery’s signature spirit. The whisky matured for 20 years in American oak ex-bourbon casks before a final maturation in American oak Oloroso sherry butts, developing additional richness and complexity.
The resulting profile combines dark cherry, candied orange and Manuka honey with cool eucalyptus and toasted oak. Vanilla sweetness and a delicate hint of campfire smoke round out the finish. Aromas include salted toffee, dried fruit, orange peel, tobacco and honey.
Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage will be available in the United States beginning in November 2026, with a suggested retail price of $350.
Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit
Bottled at 51.8% ABV, Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit draws on the influence of Spanish oak and Oloroso sherry casks to deliver a different expression of the distillery’s character.
Matured in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry and American oak ex-bourbon casks before finishing in an Oloroso sherry hogshead, the whisky features tropical fruit, cracked black pepper, soft oak and smoked toffee. Its extended finish brings together sweet peat smoke and a distinctive note of charred mango.
The tasting profile opens with honeycomb, mango and warm vanilla custard, followed by earthy peat smoke, treacle and warming spices. Tropical fruit and soft oak balance the whisky’s smoky sweetness.
Sherry Cask Pursuit will be available exclusively through global travel retail, with an initial launch in Taipei and Hong Kong later this year and additional markets to follow.
Dr. Calum Fraser, master blender for Scotch and Irish whisky at Suntory Global Spirits, said the collection showcases how maturation and cask selection shape the character of aged single malts.
“These beautifully aged whiskies are intentionally designed to reward exploration and reveal layers of flavour over time,” Fraser said. “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,” he added. “Snarkitecture has captured that sense of discovery brilliantly, creating designs that express the individuality of each whisky, while remaining true to Bowmore’s heritage.”
For more information, visit Bowmore.com or follow Bowmore on Instagram and Facebook.
About Bowmore
Established in 1779, Bowmore is Islay’s oldest licensed distillery and Scotland’s second-oldest. Its extensive inventory of maturing whisky supports a portfolio of premium single malts known for their depth, rich fruit character and delicate peat-smoke complexity.
The distillery’s production process combines traditional floor maltings, peat-smoked barley, long fermentation and slow distillation to develop its distinctive balance of citrus, fruit and smoke.
Bowmore’s recent accolades include World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2026 for its 21-Year-Old Sherry Oak Cask, along with multiple gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, International Spirits Challenge and International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Visitors to the distillery can explore its heritage through tastings, access to the Vaults Secrets Tasting Room and experiences inside the legendary No. 1 Vaults. Nearby Bowmore Cottages offer accommodations for visitors exploring the historic town and surrounding island.
Bowmore encourages responsible drinking. For information about responsible consumption, visit DrinkSmart.
About Snarkitecture
Snarkitecture is a New York–based design practice founded in 2008 that pushes the boundaries between art and architecture. Snarkitecture collaborates with clients and partners across disciplines to reimagine the familiar into sensory, experience-driven environments. The Snarkitecture team is dedicated to “making architecture perform the unexpected,” transforming the everyday into unfamiliar and memorable environments.
Snarkitecture has collaborated with some of the world’s most influential fashion houses and culture-shaping lifestyle brands, with works across scales and typologies, including retail, hospitality, residential, collectible design, and object collaborations. For more information about Snarkitecture, visit https://www.snarkitecture.com/.
About Suntory Global Spirits
As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium American whiskeys, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki® and Hibiki®; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequilas and Roku® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Bartender Created Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society, and aims to have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com.
