Bowmore Small Batch Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from barley that has been expertly cultivated in the rolling hills of Scotland. Once the barley has been harvested, it is malted and peated at the distillery — Bowmore remains one of the few Scottish distilleries that continues to hand-turn, malt, and peat its own barley. Unlike some other distilleries on Islay, however, the drying process is much shorter at Bowmore — only 15 hours — and utilizes only half as much peat, resulting in a whisky with a robust yet still mild smoky flavor.

After the barley has been malted and peated, it is mashed and fermented with pure water drawn from Laggan River. The water has spent two millennia percolating in the ancient rock formations and peatbogs of Islay, giving Bowmore Whiskey its distinctive, chewy body and subtle mouthfeel. Then, the fermented barley is twice distilled through Bowmore's copper-pot stills before being left to mature in the distillery's seaside, underground maturation vaults.

Following distillation, Bowmore Small Batch Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured in first fill and refill American oak casks that were previously used to mature bourbon. The first-fill bourbon casks "offer delicious vanilla sweetness, subtle spices and bourbon oak smoke to complement Bowmore's gentle peaty smokiness,"according to Distillery Manager Eddie McAffer, "while the second-fill cask enhances Bowmore's fresh fruity complexity and showcases its trademark honey and creamy malt character."

Tasting Notes

Golden color. Aroma of vanilla, sea salt, peat smoke, honeycombs and cinnamon spice. Notes of citrus, vanilla, coconuts and a hint of papaya. Finishes with touches of wispy smoke, bourbon and lime.

Proof 80 (40% ABV)