Bowmore

Introduction:

Bowmore is a classic Islay whisky known for its heavy peat smoke and pronounced sea and salt aromas. It features a unique hint of violet flowers, which can be subtle in some bottlings overshadowed by rich Sherry or Wine flavors. The distillery offers a wide range of expressions, from young whiskies like the Legend to prestigious old vintages like the Black Bowmore 1960. Many Bowmore whiskies are matured in Sherry casks, enhancing the peat smoke with a harmonious sweetness. Independent bottlings from Bowmore are highly sought after, often prized for their natural color. The distillery also supplies its spirit for the production of Big Peat, an all Islay Blended Malt Scotch whisky.

Production:

Bowmore produces approximately 2 million liters of alcohol annually. The distillery operates with two wash stills and two spirit stills, sourcing its water from the river Laggan. Notably, Bowmore is one of the few distilleries that still maintains malting floors.

Pot Stills:

Bowmore’s pot stills consist of two wash stills with a capacity of 20,000 liters and two spirit stills with a capacity of 11,500 liters. These pear-shaped stills are relatively short, and their lyne arms rise after the neck without additional reflux-enhancing components. As a result, Bowmore whiskies exhibit a robust, spicy, and intense distillery character.

Malting:

Bowmore retains active malting floors, where they spread out steeped malt for germination. The malt is then dried over peat fires, contributing to the distinctive smoky and peaty flavors found in Bowmore whisky.

Warehouse:

Bowmore’s warehouses, located next to the Atlantic Ocean, infuse the whisky with salty and maritime influences. Most of the dunnage warehouses at Bowmore have a low, flat design, providing a cold and humid maturation environment. Notably, the legendary No. 1 vault is the only warehouse situated below sea level.

History:

Founded in 1779 by John P. Simpson, Bowmore began as a farming distillery. After Simpson’s passing, the distillery was acquired by the Mutter family, who modernized production methods and introduced a steamship for importing barley and coal. In 1925, J.B. Sheriff and Co. purchased Bowmore, followed by the establishment of Bowmore Morrison in 1951. In 1994, the Japanese company Suntory acquired Bowmore, maintaining ownership to this day.

Visitor Centre:

Bowmore’s visitor center, open throughout the year with varying hours, offers three different tours led by knowledgeable experts who have extensive experience at the distillery. Visitors can witness Bowmore’s traditional-style malt production and have the opportunity to purchase special distillery bottlings. Additionally, Bowmore cottages located on the distillery grounds provide accommodation options for an immersive experience.

Visitor information:

The Bowmore Distillery
Isle of Islay
Argyll PA43 7JS
Tel: +44 (0)1496 810 441
Fax: +44 (0)1496 810 757
E-Mail: mbd.bowmoredistillery@beamsuntory.com