NO-ONE ever condones mixing alcohol and automobiles but an unusual – and exclusive – relationship between an artisan distillery and BMW’s latest 8 Series range deserves recognition.

BMW Australia and Tasmanian distillery Sullivans Cove is making a bespoke blend of whisky produced and bottled exclusively for owners of the 8 Series.

The small batch of Sullivans Cove Double Cask single-malt whisky is to be blended in carefully selected casks that range in age from 10 to 15 years.

BMW Australia said the whisky, called The 8, is inspired by the brand’s new flagship model “and is a celebration of time: time to create, to craft and time to savour”.

“As months pass, the whisky will settle naturally, unfiltered and undisturbed by machine or human hand,” BMW said.

“The hand-bottled whisky will be delivered to 8 Series owners, direct from Sullivans Cove, in a bespoke barrel crafted from steel and shaped to house their unique bottle of Sullivans Cove whisky.”

BMW Australia’s general manager of marketing, Tony Sesto, said the whisky will be shared with owners of the new 8 Series almost 30 years after the launch of the first model.

“After much anticipation, BMW’s new flagship model finally launched this year and it is bigger, stronger, faster and more beautiful than you could ever need,” he said.

“BMW’s collaboration with Sullivans Cove truly captures the essence of time, and powerful presence of the new 8 Series. We are absolutely delighted to share this special experience with 8 Series owners.”

Sullivans Cove strategy manager Fred Siggins said the batch would be “robust and refined”.

“For us, this collaboration is a good opportunity to create something that’s at once elegant and powerful,” he said.

“The special batch we’re creating for The 8 will have a big, bold nose with lots of oak, vanilla and caramel flavours. There’ll be lovely spice and fruitcake notes, orange peel and a bit of chocolate.”

Mr Siggins supplied tasting notes for the whisky:

Nose: An initial wave of ripe cherries and dark chocolate followed by a herbal, earthy note with woody spice, prunes and ripe raspberries. With a touch of air, the earthiness gives way to lots of ripe orange. From then on it’s a gentle push and pull between the earthy, dark fruit notes and the rounded citrus with a strong creamy note like cocoa butter.

Palate: A thick velvety texture provides the foundation for desserts and confection flavours galore, with stewed orchard fruits, prunes, sticky date pudding and lots of raspberry jam. Also a hint of bay leaf, nutmeg and star anise adding balance and complexity.

Finish: Beautiful balance between ripe cherries, dark chocolate, and ripe, bitter orange. Raspberry, cantaloupe, rich plums and a classic Sullivans briny note are there for support. Lengthy and very pleasing.

Now that we have the attention of your taste buds, the last word on creating this spirit goes to BMW Australia that said it “advises against drinking and driving”.

The BMW 8 Series is priced from $202,900 for the 840i coupe, up to $352,900 for the M8 Competition coupe. The convertible starts at $217,900. Prices do not include on-road costs.

The original 8 Series was first introduced in 1990 as a two-door coupe with both V8 and V16 engines.

By Neil Dowling