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 15 year old (#1769) distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2005. Douglas Laing was founded in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing, primarily as a blending company but also as an independent bottler, with the latter activity becoming increasingly prominent over the years. When Fred Douglas Laing died in 1982, his two sons Fred and Stewart took over the business. Stewart left in 2013 to set up Hunter Laing. Douglas Laing is today managed by Fred Laing and his daughter Cara. Old Malt Cask is a range of single casks bottled at 50% ABV launched in 1998 and today managed by Hunter Laing. A limited edition of 344 bottles.