The distillery where Bomo is born was built in 1779 and is only a dozen years younger than Islay, the capital of the island, so scotch is considered the oldest among those that are produced by the island’s current distilleries. The character of Bowmore Whiskey is shaped by the Atlantic, it has the best features of island drinks: a fresh aroma with notes of sea salt and iodine, smoke with a hint of heather, a smoky flavor and a burning aftertaste.
Historical reference. The distillery was built by aspiring farmer David Simson, his family owned it until 1837, and then sold it to James Ottoman, who began the reconstruction of the enterprise, but then decided to leave the island and in 1852 sold the plant to the wine company W & J. Mutter. And for another century, the change of owners of the distillery took place almost every 10 years.
It wasn’t until 1963, when Bomo was bought by owner Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd. Stanley Morrison, the distillery’s assets began to grow, and the fame of scotch overcame the borders of Britain. Today the company is part of the Japanese alcohol giant Suntory, the distillery annually produces about two million liters of whiskey. The drink, which continues to collect international awards, is delivered to the royal court, it is popular in Europe, Japan, Australia, and the United States.
Interesting facts about Bowmore
- Scotch’s mild taste and peaty notes are associated not only with smoked malt, but also with water from the Laggan River, which has been traditionally used in production for 250 years.
- Many processes at the distillery are carried out manually, even peat is cut in layers without the use of machinery.
- Only half of the required malt is prepared at the enterprise, the rest is purchased from Port Ellen.
- The malt is first dried in the traditional outdoor way – with the help of an ordinary shovel, mixing the layers of grain.
- The method of double distillation is used: 2 primary distillation cubes of more than 30 thousand liters each and 2 secondary cubes with a volume of 15 thousand liters are involved.
- Freshly distilled spirits have a strength of 68,8%, they are slightly diluted and poured into oak barrels already with a strength of 63,5%.
- Only 85% of spirits mature in oak containers from American whiskey, the rest in sherry casks from spicy Fino, sweet Oloroso or harsh Amontillado.
Types of Bomo whiskey
Bowmore Darkest, 15 Years Old (43%). Copper-gold with reddish highlights single malt scotch from alcohols, only 80% of which were matured in Bourbon containers, and the remaining 20% - from Fino sherry. Light fresh aroma with notes of raisins, dried cherries, sea salt and citrus. Characteristic smoky taste with hints of vanilla glaze and roasted pine nuts. Long warming aftertaste with a hint of heather. Awards: IWSC gold and silver in 2013 and 2014, Grand Prix at the International Spirits Challenge in 2015. Whiskey is recommended as a digestif, harmonious aroma becomes brighter if you add a little ice water.
Bowmore, Tempest, Batch №5 (55,9%). This golden amber drink is from the fifth release of the series, whose name translates as “hurricane”. Ten-year-old Scotch smells of peach and blackcurrant, has a multifaceted taste with tones of raisins, lightly smoked prunes and vanilla. Long, burning and slightly salty aftertaste. Recommended by bartenders and restaurant critics as an excellent digestif.
Bowmore, 25 Years Old (43%). The 2014 year old mahogany colored scotch has a pleasant fruity aroma with a traditional smoky drydown. Soft taste with hints of toffee, heather smoke and roasted hazelnuts. Light warm aftertaste. The whiskey received IWSC Gold in 2016 and Best in Class status at the ISC in XNUMX.
