Bowmore Single Cask #26 20 Year Old Hand Fill 2019 Release (700ml, 54.9%)

Bowmore Single Cask #26 20 Year Old Hand Fill 2019 Release (700ml, 54.9%)

The Bowmore 20 Year Old Hand Fill Single Cask #26 is a highly regarded distillery-exclusive release and hard to find in market. Distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2019, this expression matured for two decades in a first-fill Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry cask, resulting in a deep, syrupy, and complex profile.

Tasting Notes

Nose: The influence of the PX cask is immediate and intense. You’ll find rich, dark aromas of burnt treacle, raisins, and sultanas, reminiscent of a heavy Christmas cake. Beneath the sweetness, there are layers of nutmeg and cinnamon spice, balanced by a very gentle, coastal Islay smoke that smells like melting dark chocolate or slightly charred wood.

Palate: The texture is notably syrupy and mouth-coating. It leads with a concentrated sweetness of dried figs and dates, followed by salted caramel and orange marmalade. As the whisky develops, more savory notes emerge, including tobacco leaf, old leather, and a touch of cardamom spice. The peat is well-integrated, acting as a subtle, earthy backdrop to the rich sherry fruits.

Finish: The finish is long and warming. It transitions from the syrupy fruitiness into a drier, more maritime and oaky conclusion. Expect lingering notes of dark chocolate, sea salt, and a wisp of ashy smoke that stays on the palate alongside a hint of tannic oak spice.