Bowmore 12 Years Old is the youngest whisky in the distillery's Sherry Oak Collection, which also includes 15- and 18-year-old expressions. This Islay single malt is bottled at 40% volume. MATURATION: The peated spirit matured in hand-selected ex-bourbon and Oloroso casks, then spent a final period in Oloroso casks before bottling. SUGGESTIONS: Serve neat at room temperature in a tulip glass. Aged Comté or dark chocolate makes a good companion; for a cigar, choose a mild to medium-bodied Dominican or Nicaraguan robusto.
Tasting notes
Bright vermilion red.
Vanilla, caramel, red berries and marzipan, with hints of dried fruit.
Ripe pear, lemon juice, cinnamon, toasted almonds and peaches in syrup, with smoke building across the palate.
Long, with sweet spices.
Islay's oldest distillery, Bowmore stands on the shore of Loch Indaal; its name was first recorded in 1779. It still malts part of its barley on traditional floors.Production stopped in 1940, when the RAF commandeered the distillery; three squadrons operated from it until 1943. Suntory acquired its owner, Morrison Bowmore Distillers, in 1994.
