Scotland, Isle of Islay. Distillery operational. Owner: Beam - Suntory

Located on the Isle of Islay, in the heart of the village of the same name, in 1963 Bowmore became, under the aegis of Stanley P. Morrison (owner of the distillery until it was bought by the Japanese company Suntory in 1994), one of the greatest commercial successes in the Scotch whisky industry. Vault #1, responsible for some of its greatest releases, including Bowmore 30 Year Old 1963 and Bowmore Bicentenary, played an important role in forging its international reputation. Built below sea level against a natural dyke, its walls and beaten earth floors are constantly steeped in sea spray. Rooted in tradition, Bowmore is one of the last remaining distilleries to malt part of its own barley on-site. Whether matured in bourbon casks (White Bowmore 1964) or sherry casks (Black Bowmore 1964), its spirit, characterized by notes of liquorice, peat and eucalyptus, never fails to reveal the trademark hint of exotic fruit for which the distillery is known.

A Bowmore Cask Strength from the 1990s. These bottles, with text printed directly onto the bottle, were at the time the main Bowmore range, launched in 1988 with a 10 year old and a 12 year old, after Stanley P. Morrison became Morrison Bowmore Distillers, with a “Mariner” 15 year old and a 17 year old being added in the 1990s. There was also an original Bowmore 21 Year Old that was in fact a blend, it seems, of Bowmore and Glen Garioch, the other distillery in the group—a practice no longer permitted today. It was also the period of finishes inspired by Glenmorangie, such as wine and port finishes. This version was discontinued in 2007.