A 52-year-old whisky housed in a unique container designed by Aston Martin has been sold at auction for £187,500.

The Bowmore ARC-52: The Mokum Edition went under the hammer at Sotheby’s, with a guide price in the region of £200,000, the money raised supporting the community of Islay. The whisky is described as a ‘spectacular marriage’ of Bowmore vintages from the 1960s, the finish imitating the black rocks at the Islay location where the distillery is located.

The bidding for the rarity took place between May 12 and May 26, the name of the beverage coming from the Japanese metalworking technique ‘Mokume-Gane’: layers of different metals being fused together, the technique used by Aston Martin as inspiration for the decanter design.

Jonny Fowle, head of whisky and spirits at Sotheby’s, said: “Bowmore’s ARC-52 Mokume Edition is as much a masterpiece of design as it is an exclusive whisky. These two legacy British brands have produced something that is visually spectacular to house a totally unique liquid time capsule.”

The winning bidder, whose identity has not been revealed, will also receive a VIP experience at Bowmore’s Islay distillery, including a tour of the island in Aston Martin’s first luxury SUV.