The newly-released Bowmore Appellations collection – exclusive to travel retail – sees the whisky maker work its Islay magic with casks from some of the world’s finest wine-producing regions.
Wine cask-finished whiskies aren’t exactly a new trend. But the latest range from Bowmore – one of the oldest and most beloved distilleries in Scotland – takes its Islay single malts into new territories of wine provenance. Enter the Bowmore Appellations series, a travel retail exclusive collection of four different whiskies all of which has been cask-finished in barrels sourced from some of the world’s most iconic wine regions.
The Appellations range is, of course, named for the term that describes legally defined and protected geographical indications where specific wines are produced.
To be clear, this is not even Bowmore’s first foray into wine casks. Fans of the Islay producer may remember its Vintner’s Trilogy, a set of three single malts that’s been individually aged in casks that previously held Manzanilla sherry and port, and another that was simply French oak barriques.
This time though Bowmore has gone all out with exploring wine finishes. Its latest travel retail collection comprises of four distinct expressions finished in casks gathered from some of Europe’s most iconic wine regions, layering on distinct notes and complexity while preserving the peated soul of Islay.
You have, for example, a 14-Year Old that has been matured in American oak casks that previously held bourbon, and then finished in hand-selected wine barriques from Bordeaux (it’s not clear if we’re talking Left Bank or Right Bank). There’s also a 16-Year Old that’s first aged in both in ex-bourbon American oak casks and European oak sherry casks, and finished in hand-selected Ruby Port casks from, of course, the Douro Valley.
A more unusual one is the 19-Year Old. First aged in former bourbon American oak casks, it is then finished in prized Pinot Noir casks from Burgundy. Finally there’s a 22-Year Old which is even rarer, which is first matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks like most Bowmores but here it takes on rich, vinous notes from being finished in casks that previously held Sauternes, the iconic Bordeaux sweet white wine made with grapes that’s endured noble rot.
Singapore will be the first market to the Bowmore Appellations collection in Asia. Travellers passing through Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 can get a first glimpse of Bowmore’s latest exclusive travel retail collection at a pop-up starting 1 November 2024.
Official Tasting Notes – Bowmore Appellations Collection
14-Year Old Bordeaux Wine Cask Finish
Colour Claret. Rich and vibrant, courtesy of its Bordeaux wine barriques.
Nose A confident expression of Black Forest gateaux, ripe cherries, pine nuts, and sea salt, bristling with intent.
Palate Salty, drying and spicy, yielding to a rousing, expressive, orchestra of rich fruit.
Finish Raspberries, cherries and strawberries, resolving to an adventurous bitter dark chocolate.
16-Year Old Ruby Port Cask Finish
Colour Ruby. A confident, resplendent shade bestowed by ruby port casks.
Nose A story of tanned leather, moist blackcurrants, fennel seeds, hints of ginger, and bonfire embers.
Palate Sweetness abounds. Soft chocolate fudge and demerara sugar, complement salted walnuts and oaky notes.
Finish A deep and expressive smokiness, sweet and pale, that lingers on the palate.
19-Year Old Pinot Noir Cask Finish
Colour Light plum. A rich and beguiling shade, lent by Pinot Noir wine barriques.
Nose Sophisticated, eclectic, and intriguing. Chopped pistachios, Seville oranges, hints of lemon and Manuka honey.
Palate Crisp and juicy green apples, honey, soft and creamy brioche, enlivened by a sprinkling of sugar.
Finish Resolves to a deep, satisfying marriage of dried fruit and a gentle drift of peat smoke.
22-Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish
Colour Intense gold. A vibrant, shimmering hue to match its effervescent character.
Nose A confident statement of heathery peat, citrus notes, intensely sweet honeycomb and vanilla extract.
Palate Introduced with smooth sweetness, then conspicuous green grapes, baked apple, cinnamon stick, candied ginger.
Finish Gloriously decadent runny honey intertwined with butterscotch and vanilla.
Follow us on Telegram to get updated on events and other spirited announcements!
