Bowmore Single Malt
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Bowmore Single Malt is an Islay Single Malt Scotch whisky produced by the Bowmore Distillery in Bowmore, Scotland. Founded in 1779, it is the oldest legal distillery on the isle of Islay. It is owned and operated by Morrison Bowmore, which in turn is owned by Suntory of Japan.
[edit] Varieties
As with all distilleries, the range of bottlings available constantly changes according to availability and marketing decisions. As of September 2006, the primary range comprises:
- Bowmore Legend: (now discontinued) Their least expensive bottling. No age is printed but it is an 8 - 10 year old malt. 40% alcohol by volume.
- Bowmore Surf: Same as the Legend, for the European market.
- Bowmore Enigma: a 12 year old whisky. 40% abv.
- Bowmore 12 Year Old: A standard Islay whisky. 40% abv.
- Bowmore 15 year old ("Mariner"): A slightly older variety. 43% abv.
- Bowmore Darkest: As the name suggests, their darkest whisky. Aged in ex-bourbon casks and finished in Oloroso butts. 43% abv.
- Bowmore Dawn: Aged in ex-bourbon and finished in Ruby Port casks. One of their strongest varieties: 51.5% abv. No age given.
- Bowmore Dusk: Aged 12 years in ex-bourbon and finished in Bordeaux red wine casks. 50% abv.
- Bowmore 17 Year Old: The next stage above the 15 year old Mariner. 43% abv.
- Bowmore 25 Year Old: Their oldest commonly available bottling. 43% abv.
- Bowmore Cask Strength: Bottled straight from the cask. 56% abv.
Many other Bowmore whiskies will be found, including single year bottlings from the distillery, and bottlings by independent agents.
