Buckle up, Bowmore followers. Islay’s oldest licensed distillery is introducing 4 new expressions to the U.S. market, every from its Sherry Oak Cask Assortment. These embrace 12, 15, 18, and 21 year-old single malts, all matured throughout quite a lot of each ex-bourbon and sherry seasoned casks. The 12 and 15 yr outdated expressions hit stateside 2025, whereas the 18 and 21 yr outdated bottlings will start rolling out in February 2026.
These Sherry Oak Cask whiskies be part of Bowmore’s always-on number of core single malts, which can be found within the U.S. at 12, 15, 18, and 25 yr age statements. However the new-to-market whiskies are all concerning the sherry seasoning. Certainly, Bowmore guarantees a “woodier, sweeter and fruitier end,” distinct from its present core choices.
Let’s see if the outline matches the flavour. At present, we’re wanting on the newer 12 and 15 yr choices.
Bowmore 12 Years Outdated Sherry Oak Cask Scotch Whisky Evaluate
This base expression was matured throughout a combo of European oak Oloroso sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon barrels. It was then completed in extra Oloroso-seasoned casks earlier than bottling. Nutty and with ample wooden spice to start out, the 12 yr outdated has some punch on the nostril, particularly for 80 proof. Gentle peat builds over time till it’s a largely dominant be aware, together with secondary elements of coal-charred peaches, plus orange and grapefruit rinds.
It’s virtually the opposite means round on the palate, with smoke up entrance; peat hits shortly on the tongue after which recedes. As a replacement comes fruity custard, baked apples, and richly toasted sourdough bread. The whisky isn’t memorably viscous. However once more, it performs nicely for its proof, sitting throughout the tongue lengthy sufficient for particular person flavors to develop, and never as long as to let the expertise get completely consumed by smoke.
Multi-grain porridge with a touch of desk sugar carries the transition from again palate by to a candy and smokey end. A remaining act amps again up the peat, and in this case pairs it with wealthy chocolate malt, lingering citrus peel, and somewhat creosote. 80 proof. A- / $90
Bowmore 15 Years Outdated Sherry Oak Cask Scotch Whisky Evaluate
A barely older expression is once more aged throughout European oak Oloroso sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon barrels. (The corporate doesn’t expose the precise cask make-up, however with the 15 yr outdated, they take care to emphasise “selective maturation in first-fill Oloroso casks.”) The whiskey is once more completed in Oloroso-seasoned European oak.
In comparison with the 12 yr, this 15 yr expression is noticeably darker and richer on the nostril. Combined berry compote and cranberry sauce are accented by wisps of tropical fruit, giving a touch at how Bowmore distillate can evolve over longer durations. It maintains a attribute pairing of peat and candy, alongside noticeable salinity, raisin bread, dried sage, and baking spices. (Grated nutmeg atop clotted cream sounds oddly particular, nevertheless it involves thoughts.)
A primary sip is surprisingly gentle, and it takes a pair tastes to catch my bearings. There’s extra tropical fruit right here than the nostril implied, particularly starfruit and guava. These flavors are adopted by saltwater taffy and evenly drying seasoned oak staves. Peat is a little more languorous right here, on this case hitting alongside the midpalate. It’s not overpowering, however actually sturdy sufficient to evoke chargrilled fruits, burnt ends, and honey glazed ham. (These final two notes turn out to be particularly prevalent with continued salinity, which helps push flavors into savory territory.)
The end leans into smoked maple syrup and pineapple the wrong way up cake, although the sweetness is admittedly (and fortunately) restrained by some persisting savory notes.
Revisiting this about an hour later, I’m chalking that lackadaisical first sip as much as my palate, not the whisky. It’s a stable dram, distinct from its youthful sibling however finally at the same high quality band. 86 proof. A- / $160
Bowmore 15 Years Outdated Sherry Oak Cask
USD160
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