Bowmore Brings Forth Final Whisky in its Vintner’s Trilogy

The Bowmore Vintner’s Trilogy is a special series of three Scotch whiskies created to showcase extended cask finishing in ex-wine barrels. The first two releases – an 18-year-old Manzanilla cask finish and a 26-year-old French oak finish – we reviewed recently, finding both to be outstanding expressions. Now word has dropped of the final offering in this trilogy, and it very well could top these other two in its quality.

The new Bowmore Vintner’s Trilogy: 27 Year Old Port Cask, according to those behind it, is a 48.3% ABV expression which was initially aged for its first 13 years of existence in ex-bourbon barrels. From there it was then transferred into ex-port pipes for another 14 years of finishing. During this whole time it was aged in what’s said to be the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouse, the Bowmore No. 1 Vaults.

The Vintner’s Trilogy is a collection of three liquid gold whiskies which have been meticulously matured over time in our No.1 Vaults,” said David Turner, Bowmore distillery manager, in a prepared statement. “This final offering completes the journey with an exceptional whisky we know people are going to love. The combination of ex-bourbon and port casks has created a unique Bowmore expression that showcases the rich flavour we’re famous for in a completely new way.”

Plans call for this Scotch to be made available for a price point of £410, or close to $540 USD. It is non-chill filtered, bottled at cask strength and sports a mahogany color. You’ll find some official tasting notes below for your consideration.

• Nose: Peaty and medicinal with a strong toffee, herbal and spicy character followed by heather fragrance with a hint of Rosemary. Old Port wine notes complemented by raspberries coulis and red berries.
• Palate: Sweet and salty with a smoky, mixed with sultanas, sugarplums, salted caramel and sweet leathery notes. Pepper and spices with a violet fragrance.
• Finish: Earthy carbolic notes, salted dates, dried herbs, sweet tobacco, sweet dried cranberries and a touch of white pepper.