Bowmore Feis ile 2019 15 Year Old First Fill Bourbon (700ml, 51.7%)

Bowmore Feis ile 2019 15 Year Old First Fill Bourbon (700ml, 51.7%)

The Bowmore Feis Ile 2019 15 Year Old is a distillery-exclusive release that was produced specifically for the Islay Festival of Music and Malt. Unlike the standard Bowmore 15 (which is finished in Sherry casks), this expression was matured exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, highlighting the brighter, more tropical, and coastal side of the Bowmore spirit.

Tasting Notes

Nose: The aroma is remarkably bright and fresh. It opens with an explosion of tropical fruits—think tinned pineapple, mango, and lychee. This is balanced by sophisticated notes of bergamot, roasted pistachio, and a classic Bowmore coastal influence of sea salt and brine. Beneath the fruit, there is a gentle, sweet vanilla and buttery shortbread scent, with just a wisp of medicinal, sooty smoke in the background.

Palate: The mouthfeel is oily and substantial. On the entry, you get a rush of salt-laced vanilla and creamy custard, followed by a "fruit salad" of apricot and candied orange peel. As it develops, the bourbon oak brings out oak spice and subtle liquorice. The peat is much more restrained here than in Sherry-matured expressions, appearing as a soft, earthy smoke that harmonizes with the citrus and tropical fruit notes.

Finish: The finish is long, warming, and beautifully mouth-coating. It leaves a lingering trail of lemon zest, sea salt, and a final touch of ashy peat smoke. The first-fill bourbon influence stays present until the end with a sweet, woody spice.

Fun Tip

Many enthusiasts suggest adding a few drops of water to this specific dram. It tends to open up the tropical fruit notes (specifically the pineapple) and softens the alcohol bite, making the smoke feel a bit more integrated and "grassy."