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 single cask Bowmore (#2063) distilled in 1991, matured for 21 years in first-fill sherry cask and bottled in 2012 by A.D. Rattrays. A.D. Rattray was founded in 1868 by Andres Dewar Rattray, who at the time was a wine, rum and olive oil importer. He also bought, stored and blended malt and grain whiskies. After his death in 1910 and difficulties in the 1920s, the business ended up in the hands of William Walker in 1938, whose daughter married Stanley P. Morrison the following year. Stanley P. Morrison’’s son Stanley Walker Morrison bought A.D. Rattray from his aunt in 1993, a year before Morrison Bowmore was bought by Beam Suntory. The brand was relaunched in 2002, releasing the Cask Collection in 2004. This is a limited edition of 547 bottles.