Bowmore Distillery

This Islay distillery in the town of the same name is an exceptional piece of history for numerous reasons. For one it is the oldest distillery on Islay, first founded in 1779. Though local rumour suggests it may have started up several years before then. It also has the world’s oldest maturation warehouse, Vault No. 1. Finally, it’s one of the few distilleries in Scotland to still practice floor malting. The maltings at Bowmore are capable of producing almost a third of what is needed by the distillery.

David Simpson officially founded Bowmore in 1779 after buying the land it’s built on in 1776. The distillery was taken over by Glaswegians James and William Mutter in 1837. They expanded the distillery with additional construction before it was sold on to the newly formed Bowmore Distillery Company in 1892. Bowmore would go on to change hands several more times in the next century until Suntory took control of the then owners Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd in 1994. The Japanese company was expanding their ownership from a 35% stake first bought five years beforehand. The merged Beam- Suntory remain the owners of the distillery to this day.

Today Bowmore produces around 2 million litres of spirits a year with its 8 ton stainless steel mash tun, six Oregon Pine washbacks, and four stills. The seaside distillery draws its water for distillation from the river Laggan.

The Core range of Bowmore consists of the Bowmore No. 1, exclusively aged in first fill Bourbon casks to retain the peat and sweetness from the malt. It is joined by the 12, 15, 18, and 25 years old single malts. The 15 year old spends three years finishing in Oloroso Sherry casks to give it a deep ruby colour and a spicy finish that goes well with the Islay peatiness.

Limited Editions include the Vintner’s Trilogy released in 2018. This is comprised of 18, 26, and 27 years old expressions finished in manzanilla sherry barrels, port pipes, and ex-wine barriques. Several 50 year old single malt editions have also been released by Bowmore for whisky lovers looking for a truly well aged experience. The Vault Edition Atlantic Sea Salt reflects the climate it matured in at Vault No. 1, parts of which are below sea level. This bourbon cask aged single malt has a long salty finish that reflects Bowmore’s place as a seaside distillery.