Distilled at Bowmore in 1997 and bottled in 2023, this 25-year-old single malt was matured in a s2nd fill sherry hogshead. The refill cask allows the Islay spirit to retain its smoke and tropical fruit whilst adding dark chocolate, spice and restrained a sherry influence. Barbecue notes, mango and warming aniseed sit in balance rather than competition. Drawn from a single cask and limited to 285 bottles, it is a mature Bowmore that shows how peat, fruit and refill sherry wood can integrate across a quarter of a century.
Tasting notes
Tropical
Maritime
Nose
Waves of barbeque smoke, tropical fruits and cola cubes.
Palate
Warm aniseed, ginger sponge and juicy mango.
Finish
Long finish with nutmeg and dark chocolate.
The distillery
Bowmore
The Bowmore distillery was established as far back as 1779 by David Simson in the town of Bowmore on Islay. Bowmore is the oldest operating distillery on Islay and one of the oldest in Scotland. The distillery operates a traditional floor maltings, producing a proportion of its own medium peated malted barley. This barley is turned by hand throughout the malting process, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship. A significant proportion of Bowmore's whisky matures in the renowned No. 1 Vaults, which lie below the shoreline level of Loch Indaal. Bowmore maintains a close connection to the local community, with excess heat generated during production helping to warm the town's public swimming pool. Bowmore's spirit is known for balancing gentle peat smoke, maritime character and fruit driven flavours. These characteristics make the spirit particularly well suited for aging, during which notes of tropical fruit, chocolate and gentle spice can emerge.
Located in the Inner Hebrides, Islay is one of Scotland's five recognised whisky producing regions and is renowned for its long association with whisky production. Despite its modest size, the island has earned a global reputation for its whiskies, with distilleries playing an important role in the local community and economy.
Peat smoke is a defining feature of many Islay whiskies, contributing to bold and characterful spirits that have become synonymous with the region. While heavily peated styles are closely associated with Islay, the island's distilleries produce a diverse range of whiskies that reflect their individual approaches to production.
This distinctive character makes Islay an enduring favourite among whisky enthusiasts. We look for whiskies that express the individuality of their distillery, and Islay spirits often retain that identity even after extended maturation or finishing. The interaction between peat, spirit character and cask influence can produce whiskies of unique character and complexity.
Customer reviews
Full specification
Category
Single malt Scotch whisky
Distillery
Bowmore
Region
Islay
Country
Scotland
Age
25 years
Distilled
23 September 1997
Bottled
2023
Strength
53.1% ABV
Bottle size
70 cl
Original outturn
285 bottles
Cask number
90021014
Cask
2nd Fill Sherry Hogshead
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