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KWM 2023 Whisky Calendar Blog Day 23 - Bowmore 18 Year

Posted on December 23, 2023

by Evan

Bowmore Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and is the oldest on Islay that still exists, having been founded in 1779. Bowmore’s famous Warehouse No.1, which sits right next to the distillery, is Scotland’s oldest warehouse for aging whisky still in use.

The Distillery itself lies within the town which shares its name and is right against the shoreline of Loch Indaal. Even though the distillery is on the coast, it can still be considered closest to the centre of Islay. The town of Bowmore only predates the distillery by less than two decades, and it was the first planned settlement in Scotland.

The town's grid like layout and construction were initiated in 1768 by Daniel Campbell the Younger, who was the owner of the Islay and part of Jura. He resided in the famous Islay House and planned the town of Bowmore to resettle residents from the village of Kilarrow. Kilarrow was situated close to Islay House, near what is now called Bridgend. It is said that Daniel the Younger felt that Kilarrow spoiled the view between Islay House and Loch Indaal. All that remains of the old village is a cemetery on Islay House property.

On the upside, Daniel the Younger also built the now-famous Kilarrow Parish that is atop the hill in Bowmore. The church is famous for being entirely round so that it gives to corner for the devil to hide in. Bowmore and the Kilarrow Parish lay a little over 4km south of Bridgend and where the previous village existed. Currently, the town of Bowmore is populated by around 800 residents.

As for the distillery, Bowmore's nearest neighbour is Bruichladdich, which is a 15-minute drive West along the coastal road A847 to the other side of Loch Indaal. Caol Ila Distillery is about a 20-minute drive to the East along the A846. If you head South from Bowmore, the Port Ellen Maltings newly revived Port Ellen Distillery are about a 20-minute drive as well. From there you can get to Laphroaig Distillery, Lagavulin and Ardbeg; which all lie within 10 minutes drive from there.

Like Laphroaig, the Bowmore distillery is owned by parent company Beam Suntory. Also like Laphroaig, Bowmore is one of three distilleries on Islay to have its own on-site floor maltings and peat kilns, which are able to produce around one-quarter of Bowmore's needs for mashing and distillation. This is an important factor now that Port Ellen Maltings is apparently being exclusively to support Diageo’s - owner’s - own malting needs. This means that any the resto of Bowmore's (and Laphroaig’s) malt has to be sourced from the Scottish Mainland. Whether the malt is sourced from Simpsons on the mainland or made in-house, the phenol content of the malt is around 25 to 30 ppm.

Insert Peat Here: One of the Kilns At Bowmore Distillery

For a few years now, I have been telling people that the Bowmore 18-year-old is the sweet spot in Bowmore’s core range of Single Malts – even showing better than the older and much more expensive Bowmore 25-year-old. The 18-year-old is bottled at 43% after having aged in what is likely a combination of ex-Bourbon casks and a decent amount of ex-Sherry casks as well.

Let’s give this dram a go and see how right - or how very, very wrong I am!

Bowmore 18-Year-Old – 43%

Evan’s Tasting Note

Nose: Cedar wood chips, Barbecue sauce, Parma Violet candies, dryer sheets, Welches Red Grape Juice, Raisin Bran cereal, grapefruit rind, and a touch of lychee and pineapple.

Palate: Creamy and coastal with plenty of fruit and a cloud of wafting, ethereal smoke. More grape and Parma Violet notes along with chalky Valentine’s Day candies, blueberry yogurt, Elderflower liqueur, grilled pineapple, and a touch of salt and pepper.

Finish: The soft, wafting smoke continues to dance around even after the fruit and candied notes fade.

Comment: The Bowmore 18 Year continues to be one of the best official single malt bottles from an Islay Distillery around.

Cheers,
Evan
evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Facebook & Instagram: @sagelikefool

You can find all blog posts for Kensington Wine Market’s 2023 Whisky Calendar Here