Bowmore Whisky Sample 10 Year Old Inspired by Devil's Cask Series 2016 Release (30ml, 46%)

Bowmore Whisky Sample 10 Year Old Inspired by Devil's Cask Series 2016 Release (30ml, 46%)

The Bowmore 10 Year Old "Inspired by the Devil’s Casks" (2016 Release) is a fascinating piece of Bowmore’s modern history. Originally released as a Travel Retail Exclusive, this bottling was designed to capture the spirit of the legendary (and now incredibly expensive) Devil’s Cask series without the astronomical price tag of the original trio.

It is a marriage of First-fill Oloroso Sherry casks and Red Wine barriques, creating a dark, brooding, and spicy profile that highlights Bowmore’s ability to pair subtle peat with heavy wood.

Tasting Notes

Nose: It opens with a dense, "purple" fruitiness—blackcurrants, dark cherries, and sun-dried raisins. Beneath the fruit lies a layer of warm leather and the classic, gentle Bowmore smoke, which here smells more like burning heather and wood ash than medicinal peat. There’s a spicy kick of ginger and cloves that hints at the wine cask influence.

Palate: The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and quite zesty. The initial sweetness of Treacle toffee and salted caramel is quickly met by a sharp, tannic grip from the red wine wood. You'll find notes of dark chocolate-covered cranberries and orange marmalade. The smoke is integrated and subtle, acting as a savory backdrop to the rich, wine-forward fruit.

Finish: Medium-long and drying. The red wine tannins leave a "mouth-watering" sensation, accompanied by a final flash of sea salt, roasted walnuts, and a lingering, peppery wood smoke.