A litre of Bowmore with a silk-screen printed label — the kind of bottle that no longer makes it onto the shelves, but that recalls a time when Islay whisky was presented with rather more character. A collector's bottle from an era when bottles had personality.
Expert's description
Bowmore 12 Year Screen Printed Old Version is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on ex-bourbon and sherry casks and bottled at 43%. This is the old 100 cl format with a screen-printed label applied directly to the glass — a presentation that has since been discontinued. Screen printing directly onto bottles was standard on several of Bowmore's export markets and is today a hallmark collectors look for in older expressions.
The whisky inside is the classic Bowmore 12 Year from the distillery on the banks of Loch Indaal, founded in 1779. Matured on ex-bourbon and sherry casks at 43%, and developed in the distillery's iconic No. 1 Vaults — a warehouse that sits partly below sea level. That maritime environment leaves its mark on both nose and palate: salt breeze, a trace of smoke and honey from one of Islay's most storied distilleries.
Tasting notes
Nose
Light and inviting with heather honey, a little citrus and Bowmore's soft, gentle peat smoke. A trace of sea salt and vanilla.
Palate
Soft and creamy with ripe citrus, honey and a light, salted smoke. Discreet sweetness balances the peat nicely.
Finish
Medium-length and gentle. The smoke fades slowly with a dry, lightly peppery note and a final breath of honey.
Specifications
Name: Bowmore 12 Year Screen Printed Old Version
Distillery: Bowmore
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 100 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon and sherry
Edition: Old Version – Screen Printed (discontinued format)
Flavour profile
Smoky · Maritime · Honey-sweet · Fruity · Soft
Investment potential
Medium. The discontinued 100 cl format with screen-printed label is sought after by collectors, and older Bowmore bottlings in this presentation have been rising in price on the auction market.
Did you know?
Bowmore is the only Islay distillery that still produces a portion of its malt on its own floor maltings — a method that has all but disappeared from the wider industry, giving the distillery direct control over the peat levels in its production.
Browse our full range of Bowmore
Listen to our podcast:
