About this SPIRIT
Bowmore Distillery, Islay
Bowmore Distillery, situated on the rugged Hebridean Island of Islay, was founded in 1779 and is the second oldest distillery in Scotland today. The distillery's location on this windswept isle has played an important part in determining the legendary smoky and rich character of the single malt whisky it produces.
Bowmore Single Malt is produced using water from the nearby Laggan River, which echoes the flavours of the Islay peat used in the fires of the malt-drying kiln. The distillery is among the last to have maintained a tradition of malting its own barley by hand, turning with wooden malt shovels. Around one-quarter of the malt needed for its whiskies is made in-house; the rest is bought in. The malt used has a phenol specification of 25-30 ppm.
Today, the distillery is owned by Beam Suntory, but tradition still reigns, with Warehouse No.1, standing right next to the sea, still the oldest whisky warehouse in use in Scotland. The character of the single malt is further developed here, where the whiskies are kept for up to 40 years in ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks.
(Adapted from the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2024)
Islay Whisky
The whisky region of Islay (pronounced eye-la) is arguably the most important 200 or so square miles in the whisky world. On the face of it Islay just another island of the Inner Hebrides. It lies in Argyll just to the west of Jura and around 25 miles north of the Irish coast, which can be seen on a clear day.
The island's fame as far as whisky goes is due to the 8 distilleries currently in production and the vast tracts of peat that cover most of the island's surface. The whisky distilleries are: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman (this is the newest distillery on the island which started producing spirit in 2005), Lagavulinand Laphroaig.
The 8 distilleries with whisky for sale can be divided up, depending on the amount of peat used. The `big 3' are Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig who all produce powerful smoke laden whiskies. The new malt produced by Kilchoman is also very powerful indeed.
Occupying the middle ground are Bowmore and Caol Ila. The whiskies produced at Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain are in peat terms at least, the lightest.
There were more distilleries in the past: Port Ellen closed in 1983 while the Lochindaal at Port Charlotte closed in1929. The buildings at Port Ellen are however still in use, it is here that malted barley for the island's distilleries is produced.
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Description
When we think of Islay, we think of spirits abundant with smoke. Bowmore offers the richness we seek yet with a more subtle peat profile. On the nose, you’ll find stewed fruits, grapefruit, wet moss and faint smoke. The palate develops into milky coffee, chocolate, nut oils, green wood smoke and grape. This is a classic dram from one of the icons of Islay.
George Turner, Spirits Shop Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd (January 2024)
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