Of devils and swimming pools
Bowmore is the single malt from Islay's capital. It has the same name as the distillery and is for a capital city...well...very cosy. The most notable building next to the distillery is certainly the Kilarrow Parish Church. The church is round - so that the devil cannot hide in any corner. Maybe he'd rather take the few steps down Church Street to the distillery anyway. On the one hand, they are very traditional here and are one of the few distilleries that still have their own malting and floor maltings. One of the few distilleries in Scotland, Bowmore's kiln isn't just for show. Part of the malt is smoked over peat on site, giving it its typically smoky character. On the other hand, Bowmore is very modern when it comes to ecology. The neighboring swimming pool, for example, is heated with waste heat from the distillation. Bowmore is the gentleman among Islay whiskies. Although it is also strongly smoky, its character is more elegant and softer than its neighbors Ardbeg and Laphroaig. Bowmore is particularly good at handling sherry casks. Many Bowmore whiskys mature in these sherry casks, where they absorb a dark color and fruity aromas. Bowmore probably also holds the record for the most maritime whisky aging. Because the warehouses in which Bowmore whisky matures are so close to the sea that the waves crash against the outer walls. Strictly speaking, part of the whisky is stored below sea level. More sea is probably not possible.
What does Bowmore mean? The literal translation of Bowmore is “big reef”.
Where is Bowmore? Bowmore is a classic Islay whisky and is located in the village of the same name on Loch Indaal, a large bay on the island of Islay.
3 reasons to love Bowmore
1) Because 862 residents of the capital are rightly proud of their malt.
2) Because the malting is still traditional here.
3) Because no whisky is closer to the sea.
What does Bowmore whisky taste like?
Bowmore is not only in the middle of Islay geographically, but also in terms of taste. The malts are not quite as powerful and peaty as those from Lagavulin, Ardbeg or Laphroaig. But the Islay character is unmistakable. Peat, ash, smoke and above all: the sea! You smell and taste the sea, the spray and the salty sea air. This basic character is skillfully combined with warm toffee from ex-bourbon casks or with dark fruits from ex-sherry casks. Dates wrapped in bacon and chocolate are therefore often found tasting notes. Older bottlings often add a delicately sweet, fruity note with hints of peach or apricot. "Maritime smoked peach"? Terrific!
How Aberlour Single Malt is made
Most of today's beautiful stone buildings, where Aberlour whisky is made, were built in 1892. The distillery is just a stone's throw from the River Spey, which owes its name to the legendary Speyside whisky region. However, the name Aberlour comes from the small river of the Lour. Literally translated, Aberlour means "mouth of the Lour", where the distillery is located. The source of Aberlour's clear water, St. Drozdan's Well, is said to have healing magic powers. Once you've visited the nearby Linn Falls, you too will believe it. Because this magically beautiful little waterfall once served as a place of worship for Celts and Druids. The Lour flows past the Standing Stones of Fairy Hill. Who wouldn't want this magical water in their whisky?
The water of the Lour River is used for the cooling systems of the stills. However, this returns untouched back into the river, because only pure spring water goes into the whisky itself. Fermentation takes place in six large stainless steel washbacks. Today, Aberlour distills the new make for the single malt whisky on four onion-shaped pot stills. The copper stills have no bulges. Aberlour Single Malt matures in both ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks. The malty, fruity spirit works well with both American and European oak. In France, Aberlour is one of the best-selling malt whiskys. Aberlour Single Malt is also used in some blends, as in the Scotch Clan Campbell.
A little Bowmore history
Bowmore was founded by David Simson in 1779 - making the distillery one of the oldest in Scotland. And undoubtedly Islay's oldest distillery. At least when it comes to legal burning. As with almost every Scottish distillery, the following decades were characterized by many changes of ownership. The most important milestones are:
In 1925 the distillery became the property of Sheriff's Bowmore Distillery Ltd. In 1963 Bowmore was acquired by Stanley P. Morrison Ltd. taken over, which also owned Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch. The casks of the equally legendary and rare “Black Bowmore” also come from this year. The Morrison-Bowmore company has been in Japanese hands since 1994 - as part of the Suntory Group. With the merger of Jim Beam and Suntory in 2014 to form Beam Suntory, Laphroaig is also part of the family.
Our Bowmore recommendations:
In our opinion, one of the best Bowmore Single Malts is the Bowmore 15 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish, formerly known as “The Darkest”. A smooth and balanced smoky whisky that combines all Bowmore characteristics.
Bowmore Facts & Figures
Address: School Street, Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA43 7GS
Founded: 1779 by David Simson
Owner: Morrison Bowmore Distillers (Suntory)
Status: active
Region: Islay Whisky
Whisky Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Smoke Level: Heavily peated/ /heavily smoky 25-30 ppm
Water: River Laggan
Mashtun: Semi Lauter stainless steel, 8 tons
Washbacks: 6, Oregon Pine
Fermentation: 62 hours
Stills: 2 wash stills (30,940 l), 2 spirit stills (14,750/14,637 l)
Capacity: approx. 2,150,000 liters annually
Visitor Centre: Yes
Telephone: +44 (0)1496 810441
Website: www.bowmore.com
Directions to the Bowmore Distillery
picture credits/ source of photos: Leon Schuster, Malt Mariners
