Bowmore Islay Single Malt Whisky, widely regarded as the oldest licensed distillery on Scotland’s isle of Islay, has announced the release of Bowmore 1966, a rare and refined whisky from a golden year in the brand’s heritage.
It has spent 50 years aging in Bowmore’s No. 1 Vaults, thought to be one of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses.
Bowmore 1966 is available in limited quantities (only 74 bottles will be available worldwide) and celebrates a unique year for the Islay distillery. The single malt was distilled in the same year that Bowmore was officially first bottled. The cask laid down in 1966 was kept aside as a cask gem and nurtured over the years by legendary Distillery Manager, Eddie MacAffer who joined Bowmore distillery that very same year.
This remarkably rare limited edition bottling has, over its 50-year maturation, unlocked the exotic fruit tastes distinctive of 1960s Bowmore whiskies that have been savoured by connoisseurs worldwide and are renowned in some of the most collectible Bowmore expressions.
An exceptional expression, Bowmore 1966 has been aged for 50 years in a single exbourbon hogshead cask, developing a complex flavour and beautiful golden amber hue. On the nose, Bowmore 1966 offers elegant bursts of lychee, pineapple, and watermelon, developing into light floral notes and a dry finish on the palate. Perfectly balanced with a silky whisper of smooth syrup this well-rounded single malt is best savoured neat.
Sitting at the pinnacle of Bowmore’s portfolio, Bowmore 1966 is presented in a handmade crystal decanter boasting sterling silver adornments and is housed in a hand crafted cabinet made from quality Scottish oak. At the centre of the each cabinet lies five hand laid silver tree rings depicting the five decades of the rare vintage’s maturation. The characterful nature of the Scottish oak means each individual bottling will be entirely unique with no two of the 74 bottles available being the same, echoing the rare and unique features of Bowmore 1966.
David Turner, Bowmore Distillery Manager, said: “To this day Eddie MacAffer is renowned at the Bowmore distillery for his passion and knowledge, which he so proudly showcased throughout his 50 years at the distillery. I am honoured to celebrate such a pivotal year in Bowmore’s history and launch this incredible whisky, which was not only nurtured by Eddie himself but was also created the very year Eddie joined us.
“Bowmore 1966 demonstrates the rewards of our meticulous aging process and proves the unparalleled quality of the whiskies coming from our passionate and dedicated distillery team. 1966 is set to be treasured among Bowmore® fans and will undoubtedly build upon Bowmore’s legendary collectors status.”
Bowmore 1966 will be available from whisky specialists in December 2017.
