Bowmore 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky

Product Description

Bowmore 18 Year Old: A Perfectly Balanced Islay Icon

Bowmore 18 Year Old is one of the most remarkable, perfectly balanced single malt Scotch whiskies in the Bowmore range, produced by the oldest distillery on Islay, founded in 1779 on the shores of Loch Indaal. Cosseted away in the finest hand-selected oak casks and allowed to mature at its own sedate pace, this is one of Bowmore's rarest whiskies. A comparatively recent addition to the core lineup, the 18 Year Old was launched in January 2007 to replace the previous 17 Year Old expression.

How Bowmore 18 Year Old Is Made

This whisky is matured in a combination of hand-selected American oak ex-bourbon casks and European oak Oloroso sherry casks, a dual-cask approach that gives it a complex, exquisitely layered character. Distilled twice using water drawn from ancient pre-Cambrian rock, among the oldest in Europe, Bowmore uses noticeably less peat than many of its Islay neighbors, resulting in a more restrained, elegant smoke profile. It's bottled at 43% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Pungent, citrus, and stewing fruit, with hints of damp wood and a very soft smoke.

Palate: Spirity at first, giving way to perfume, fruit, and plum jam, balanced by good sweetness, peat smoke, and a grapey character.

Finish: Seville marmalade, blossom, and dark peat.

Food Pairings

The plum jam and marmalade character in Bowmore 18 Year Old pairs beautifully with dark chocolate orange truffles, aged Gouda, or a citrus-glazed duck. Its soft smoke and sherry sweetness also complement a good cigar or a spiced fruitcake.

Serving Suggestions

Bowmore 18 Year Old is best enjoyed neat in a tulip-shaped whisky glass, giving its layered fruit and smoke aromatics room to open up. A few drops of water can also help draw out its citrus and marmalade notes for those who prefer a slightly softer pour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What casks is Bowmore 18 Year Old aged in? A combination of hand-selected American oak ex-bourbon casks and European oak Oloroso sherry casks.

How smoky is Bowmore 18 Year Old? It carries a soft, restrained smoke character, since Bowmore uses less peat than many other Islay distilleries.

What proof is this whisky? 43% ABV (86 proof).

When was the 18 Year Old introduced? In January 2007, replacing the previous 17 Year Old expression.

Explore More

Looking for more from this legendary Islay distillery? Browse our full Scotch Whisky collection for more Bowmore expressions, including the 12 Year Old and rare aged releases.

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