Bowmore 1996 25 Year Old The Distiller Anthology 01 (700ml, 50.2%)

Bowmore 1996 25 Year Old The Distiller Anthology 01 (700ml, 50.2%)

The Bowmore 25 Year Old The Distiller Anthology 01 is a landmark release that inaugurated a new series celebrating the influential figures behind Islay’s oldest distillery. This inaugural volume, distilled in 1996, pays tribute to David Turner, the long-standing Distillery Manager whose career spans over three decades. Unlike many Bowmore expressions that utilize a mix of wood, this was matured entirely in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks, resulting in a dense, maritime-influenced profile that captures the essence of the distillery's famous No. 1 Vaults.

Tasting Notes

Nose: The aroma is a sophisticated marriage of sweet and savory. It opens with rich, stewed prunes and dark raisins, quickly met by a wave of salted caramel and oaky barbecue smoke. As it sits, lighter notes of tropical fruit and sea breeze emerge, grounded by a subtle, earthy hint of old tobacco leaf and leather.

Palate: On the palate, the texture is oily and impactful. It leads with a spicy, rich fruitcake flavor followed by layers of smooth dark chocolate and ripe cherries. The characteristic Bowmore peat smoke is present but gentle—more of a maritime, smoldering driftwood character—which beautifully balances the sweetness of honey and dried longan fruit.

Finish: The finish is long and incredibly warming. It leaves behind a lingering creaminess of vanilla bean and dark chocolate, with a persistent whisper of coastal peat and dried herbs. A final, faint note of sweet tobacco provides a structured and elegant conclusion to the experience.

Fun Fact

This expression was specifically designed to reflect David Turner’s early days at the distillery; because it was distilled in 1996, it utilized Bowmore’s own traditional floor maltings for nearly 40% of the barley, a practice David was personally involved in during his first years on-site.