Bowmore 25 Year Old is a richly sherried Islay single malt, matured for a quarter of a century in American bourbon casks and Spanish sherry casks and bottled at 43% ABV. It comes from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, founded on the shores of Loch Indaal in 1779.
Bowmore is home to the No.1 Vaults, the world's oldest Scotch maturation warehouse. They sit on the shore of Loch Indaal, where the sea air plays its part in shaping every cask that rests there. The words No.1 Vaults are embossed on the base of the bottle and printed on its neck, a nod to where this whisky spent its long years.
At 25 years old the balance of the two cask types is what sets this whisky apart. The bourbon casks bring honeyed sweetness and soft vanilla, while the sherry casks give the deep mahogany colour and a rich layer of stewed and dried fruit. Bowmore's gentle peat, always more restrained than its southern Islay neighbours, sits quietly underneath as a wisp of sweet smoke rather than a dominant force.
The result is a whisky made to be savoured slowly: rich and complex, as the label puts it, with toffee and hazelnut on the palate and a mellow, lingering finish. Presented in a black gift box with copper detailing, it is a classic choice for a milestone gift or a collection of Islay malts.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Intense sherry and stewed fruit.
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Palate: Toffee and hazelnut, with a hint of sweet peat smoke.
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Finish: Mellow, gentle and complex, with dried apricot, orange zest and honey.
Specifications
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Producer: Bowmore
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Style: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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Age: 25 years
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Proof / ABV: 86 proof (43% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: American bourbon casks and Spanish sherry casks
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Region: Islay, Scotland
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Pour it neat into a nosing glass and give it a few minutes to breathe; the sherry fruit and toffee open up with time, and a few drops of water bring out the gentle smoke. It pairs well with dark chocolate, roasted nuts or a fig and walnut cake, and it makes a memorable gift for a 25th anniversary or a milestone birthday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What casks is Bowmore 25 matured in?
It is matured in American bourbon casks and Spanish sherry casks for 25 years.
Is Bowmore 25 peated?
Yes, gently. Bowmore's peat is softer than many Islay malts and shows as a hint of sweet smoke.
What proof is Bowmore 25?
It is bottled at 43% ABV, or 86 proof.
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