In September 2024 Bowmore unveiled a new range of travel retail exclusives. It is called the Bowmore Appellations Collection, referring to the fact that the whiskies are finished in wine casks from different regions: Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Douro valley.
In the early 2000s, when many distilleries were experimenting with wine finishes, Bowmore had a small wine-oriented series (Dusk / Dawn / Darkest). I remember buying a 3x 20cl kit as a new whisky enthusiast, and not liking any of them. Later editions were also not convincing. In fact few Bowmore expressions could win me over back then, with perfumy lavender notes ruining the ones that weren’t overtaken by wine.
Today my top choice would probably be the 22 Year Old finished in Sauternes casks, but at this point I’m trying the Bowmore 19 Year Old finished in Pinot Noir barriques from Burgundy. The travel range comes with a new packaging and bottle, which will be extended accross the core range in 2025.
Bowmore 19 yo – Pinot Noir Cask Finish (43%, OB 2024, travel retail)
Nose: there’s a red wine influence indeed, but the innate fruitiness balances it out. It brings red plums, juicy peaches and stewed green apples, along with pink grapefruit and sultanas. A hint of aromatic spices too, perhaps because of the French oak. Then some honeyed notes, caramelized notes and Turkish delight. Toasted wood is underneath, along with a hint of smoky bonfires. Nice.
Mouth: now mineral smoke comes out, with the typical bright fruitiness of Bowmore underneath. More pink grapefruits, oranges, green apples and sour mango. Then the tannins and spices of the wine casks become louder. Black pepper, some ginger, with a vegetal edge and darker fruits. It leads up to dark chocolate and coffee in the end. Overall a bit thin perhaps, never really showing a lot of Islay power, but the balance is pretty good.
Finish: not the best part. Only medium length, focusing on spices with gentle peat, a faint metallic edge, citrus peels and some tangy red wine.
It’s not an exceptional Bowmore, but it definitely exceeded my expectations for a travel retail expression with a red wine influence. The balance is right, with enough space for the spirit to shine. I hear similar positive feedback on the 14 Year Old (Bordeaux barriques) by the way. Only available in travel retail, but Whiskysite.nl is also selling it. Samples are available too.