The Bowmore 42 Year Old 1964 Black, bottled in 2007, is widely regarded as one of the most legendary and elusive whiskies ever released by the distillery. Distilled in 1964 and matured for over four decades in carefully selected oak casks, this extraordinary single malt represents a moment in Bowmore’s history that can never be replicated.
This bottling forms part of the iconic Bowmore “Black” series, a small group of ultra-rare releases that also includes the celebrated White, Gold and Platinum Bowmores. What sets the Black Bowmore apart is not only its age, but the exceptional sherry cask maturation that gave the whisky its unmistakably dark colour, profound depth and near-mythical status among collectors.
Released in extremely limited quantities in 2007, the Bowmore 42 Year Old 1964 Black is considered one of the rarest official Bowmore bottlings ever produced. Many bottles disappeared quickly into private collections, and very few remain available on the open market today. Its scarcity, combined with its historical significance, has made it one of the most sought-after Islay whiskies of all time.
On the nose and palate, this whisky delivers astonishing complexity: layers of antique sherry wood, dark chocolate, dried fruits, leather, maritime smoke and subtle medicinal notes, all woven together with remarkable balance and elegance. The peat is refined and integrated, offering a quiet reminder of Bowmore’s Islay roots rather than overt intensity. The finish is long, deep and endlessly evolving.
What makes Bowmore distillery so unique is its ability to combine Islay peat with elegance and age-worthiness. Founded in 1779, Bowmore is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries and is famed for its traditional floor maltings, slow distillation and maturation in the legendary No. 1 Vaults, the oldest maturation warehouse in the world, located directly on the shores of Loch Indaal. This maritime environment plays a crucial role in shaping Bowmore’s unmistakable character.
The Bowmore 42 Year Old 1964 Black is not merely a whisky — it is a benchmark, a piece of Scotch whisky history and a symbol of a bygone era of production. For collectors and connoisseurs, it stands among the greatest Islay whiskies ever created.
| Category: |
Single Malt whisky from the isle of Islay, Scotland |
| Distillery: |
Bowmore |
| Bottling serie: |
Black Bowmore |
| Extra information: |
The Trilogy |
| Extra information: |
First release (of three bottles in total) |
| Bottler: |
Distillery bottling |
| Age: |
42 Years Old |
| Vintage: |
5th of November 1964 |
| Bottled in: |
2007 |
| Cask type: |
Oloroso Sherry Cask |
| Cask number: |
- |
| Strength: |
40.5% |
| Size: |
700 ml (70 cl) |
| Total produced bottles: |
Only 827 bottles have been made worldwide! |
| Bottle number: |
Number 545 of 827 |
| Included original case: |
Yes, including the original luxury wooden case and outer protection cardboard case |
| Condition: |
The bottle and case are in nearly perfect condition. Please check the pictures carefully |
| Good investment: |
Yes and drinkable |
| Expert rating: |
95/100 |
| Extra information: |
A unique, limited and very hard to find 42 YO Bowmore whisky from the 'The Trilogy' series! A very good investment too! |