First Impressions
Bowmore 12 is one of Islay's most balanced introductions — peated, yes, but never aggressive.
Distillery & Heritage
Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay and one of the oldest in Scotland. It still operates its own traditional malting floors — one of only a handful in the country — and matures a significant portion of its stock in the No.1 Vaults, the legendary stone-walled warehouse that sits below sea level on the shore of Loch Indaal.
Tasting Notes in Detail
The nose is classic Bowmore — lemon and honey first, then a curl of bonfire smoke, sea spray and a touch of dark chocolate. The palate is rounded and honeyed, with soft phenolic smoke (around 25 ppm in the malt), citrus zest and a faint maritime salinity.
Verdict
The perfect entry to Islay for the peat-curious.
