Tain's dynamic duo have got the bottle for historic first!
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A CREATIVE Easter Ross duo holed up on a mysterious top secret project have finally been able to lift the lid on what they have been up to.
Tain-based glass artists Brodie Nairn and Nicky Burns, known collectively as Glasstorm, have been collaborating with Bowmore to produce an exquisite bottle for the oldest Islay single malt ever put on sale — at £100,000-plus per bottle.
Not only is Bowmore 1957 the oldest whisky the distillery has ever released, it is also the oldest Islay single malt ever put on sale.
The 12 bottles created for the ultra-rare Bowmore 1957 bottle have been beautifully hand-blown and sculpted into the shape of the waves reminiscent of those which constantly crash the walls of the famous No.1 Vault’s sea-facing walls. The glass has also been flecked with platinum to create a shimmering sea-like effect.
The commission — on which the duo have been working on and off for the past two years — is the latest in a string of top-notch bespoke pieces they have been asked to produce for high-profile clients.
Two of the dozen bottles of the highly sought after malt are to be auctioned next month in London and New York, with profits being split between five charities.
The reserve price on each bottle is a remarkable £100,000. Anyone wanting any which remain will have to visit the distillery in person — and have very deep pockets.
Brodie said: “We are delighted and honoured to be involved in this highly prestigious project. It’s amazing to think that someone may look at this work in a hundred years from now and still see the beauty. It certainly would be interesting to know if the seal had been broken!”
Said Nicky: "We can really identify with the craftsmanship it takes to produce this special dram and translate that to the craft of glassmaking.
"Last year we made the Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts bottle, a very rare reserve. That reached the then-record price of £60,000, which Bowmore 1957 is expected t beat. It is great to hear that the proceeds from this Bowmore will go to five Scottish charities,"
Charities benefiting from the net proceeds of the auction include Alzheimer Scotland, The Beatson Oncology Centre, Erskine, Marie Curie Cancer Care and CHAS.
Glasstorm are fast becoming both experts and pioneers in the niche field of luxury bottle creation.
Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been working closely with Glasstorm for several years. HIE's Jeni Oliver said the prestigious Bowmore order demonstrated the Highland duo's growing reputation as speciality glass makers.
She said: "Brodie and Nicky have developed a well-deserved reputation in the whisky industry in particular for creating stunning designs. This latest commission for Bowmore will be viewed worldwide and has the potential to firmly establish them as leading specialists in glassmaking.
"They are currently taking part in Scottish Development International’s Export Explorer programme and we are delighted to be able to support them as they continue to grow."
