Islay distillery Bowmore has announced its rare ARC-54 single malt whisky is available to buy for $120,000 through the purchase of an exclusive Non-Fungible Token (NFT). The release utilizes blockchain and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to integrate a digital experience with the physical bottle.
The sale is for bottle No. 128 of the 54-year-old single malt, a number chosen in reference to 128-bit computing.
The proof-of-ownership NFT provides access to the tokenized Bowmore ARC-54, while an integrated NFC chip on the neck of the bottle verifies authenticity and registers when the bottle has been opened.
Opening the bottle invites the buyer to claim a proof-of-consumption NFT, which can be showcased in a digital library and unlocks additional rewards and exclusive brand experiences.
Kirsteen Beeston, senior global marketing director for Scotch and Irish at Suntory Global Spirits, said: “As one of the most collectable single malts in the world, Bowmore is leading the way to also offer this collectable online experience.”
She added: “While Bowmore ARC-54 is a coveted asset, we also encourage people to enjoy and share this extraordinary whisky. With this technology, the opened bottle becomes a new chapter in digital form, not the end of the experience.”
The digital offering was developed in-house by Suntory Holdings using proprietary, patent-pending technology. The initiative builds on the brand’s recent collaboration with the Avalanche blockchain platform, which tokenized bottles of Bowmore 12-Year-Old and 30-Year-Old.
“By harnessing our proprietary technology and combining blockchain, NFC and NFT capabilities, we aim to offer a full customer experience transformation,” said Sebastian Zilliacus, managing director of Web3 strategy at Suntory business expert APAC.
“This includes an integrated journey, linking digital ownership, the physical bottle, distillery experience and proof of consumption,” he added.
Distilled in 1968, ARC‑54 was matured in the distillery’s legendary No. 1 Vaults for over half a century.
The whisky is priced at $120,000 USD (£90,000) and can be purchased using US dollars or stablecoin, a digital currency pegged to a real-world asset.
The purchase includes a bespoke luxury experience on Islay, featuring after-hours distillery access, a private fine dining experience, and a chauffeured tour of the island. Collection of the physical bottle is available in either Singapore or London.
Bowmore joins a growing list of spirits brands that have explored NFTs for rare releases, aiming to combat counterfeiting and offer unique ownership perks.
The official tasting notes from the brand describe the whisky’s aroma as having “syrupy vanilla” with “tropical mango and sweet peach notes.” The palate is led by “rich fruity sweetness” with “delicate citric tones of bergamot orange and lime juice,” followed by a “gentle crescendo of whispering peat smoke.”
ARC-54 No. 128 is available to purchase via nft.suntory.com. More information about the brand can be found at Bowmore.com.
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