Bowmore : 15 Year Old Sherry Oak

Tasting characteristics and tips for Bowmore 15 Years Old Sherry Oak

Tasting

Nose
A rich and complex bouquet revealing notes of Corinth raisins and sweet dates, enhanced by gentle spices and cinnamon. Aromas of cocoa beans and a hint of dark chocolate mingle with a subtle smokiness.

Palate
A velvety texture where flavors of raisin and spiced wood unfold. The palate is then caressed by notes of molasses toffee, sweet confectionery, clove spice, and licorice root. The delicate presence of cedarwood adds an extra dimension to this tasting experience.

Pairings and serving moments

This single malt is best enjoyed at room temperature in a tulip glass that concentrates its complex aromas. Its sweet and spicy notes pair beautifully with dark chocolate desserts or pastries with dried fruits. It also makes an excellent digestif to conclude a meal, to be savored leisurely to appreciate its lovely length on the palate.

A rich and complex Scotch single malt, elevated by sherry cask maturation

Bowmore, the historic heritage of Islay

Founded in 1779 by David Simson, Bowmore is the oldest distillery on Islay and the first to have obtained an official license in 1816. Nestled on the shores of Loch Indaal, it draws its water from the River Laggan and perpetuates the tradition of floor malting. Owned by the Suntory group since 1994, Bowmore embodies the perfect alliance between ancestral methods and contemporary innovations. Its Scotch whiskies are distinguished by their aromatic richness and maritime character, a faithful reflection of Islay’s island terroir. In August 2024, while preserving its centuries-old heritage, the distillery unveiled a new bottle design and new ranges, demonstrating its ability to evolve while remaining true to its identity.

Exceptional aging in sherry casks

Bowmore 15 Years Old Sherry Oak represents the excellence of this iconic Islay distillery’s savoir-faire. This single malt undergoes a meticulously orchestrated maturation process, beginning with at least 15 years in European oak Oloroso Sherry casks and American oak ex-Bourbon barrels. This dual maturation endows the whisky with remarkable complexity, further enriched by an exclusive finish in first-fill European oak Oloroso Sherry casks.

This sherry-cask finishing imparts characteristic notes of dried fruits, gentle spices, and chocolate to the spirit, while preserving the subtle maritime identity typical of Bowmore whiskies. The influence of Oloroso sherry casks is expressed through rich, plush aromas of raisins and dates, while the time spent in bourbon barrels contributes to overall balance with vanilla and woody notes.

The result is a whisky of great elegance, where the richness of flavors is expressed in harmony, offering lovely length on the palate and a memorable finish dominated by gentle, pleasing spices.