Bowmore launches wine-focused range

by Amy Hopkins

Islay distillery Bowmore is to release three age-statement Scotch whiskies matured in a variety of wine casks.

The range, called The Vintner’s Trilogy, consists of Bowmore 18 Year Old Double Matured Manzanilla; Bowmore 26 Year Old Wine Matured; and Bowmore 27 Year Old. All whiskies in the collection have been matured in Bowmore’s No.1 Vaults, said to be the world’s oldest Scotch whisky maturation warehouse. Bowmore 18 Year Old Double Matured Manzanilla (52.5% abv) has been matured for 13 years in ex-Bourbon barrels and then a further five years in ex-manzanilla Sherry barrels. It is priced at US$127. Bowmore 26 Year Old Wine Matured has also spent 13 years maturing in Bourbon barrels, with a second maturation of 13 years in wine barriques. The expression is bottled at a cask strength of 48.7% abv and is priced US$540. Bowmore 27 Year Old is the final whisky in the trilogy, and is set to launch in 2018. The expression has been finished in Port casks – more information on the whisky will be announced in due course. “The No. 1 Vaults is a treasure trove and we’re proud to be able to release an age-statement series, which is premium and collectable,” said Judith Giegerich, international marketing manager for malts at brand owner Beam Suntory. “Each whisky is unique but they come together to showcase the importance and versatility of our maturation process and cement Bowmore’s position as one of the world’s leading and quality whiskies.” The range will start rolling out globally from this month. Bowmore reiterated its commitment to age statements with the launch of a new GTR range earlier this year.