Bowmore 12 years old Screen Printed Old Version Single Islay Malt Whisky 100 cl 43%

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.

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Frequently asked questions about Bowmore 12 Year Screen Printed Old Version 100 cl

What is the Screen Printed Old Version and why is it interesting?

It's an older format of Bowmore 12 Year with the label printed directly onto the glass — a presentation that has since been replaced by paper labels. These old-format bottles are popular among collectors and enthusiasts who value the history of the bottling as much as the whisky itself.

Is the Bowmore 12 Year Screen Printed Old Version worth it as a collector's piece?

Yes, if you have an interest in historical Bowmore bottlings. The screen-printed format is no longer produced, which gives these bottles extra collector value beyond the whisky they contain. Older Bowmore expressions in this presentation have been rising on the auction market.

What does the 100 cl format mean?

100 cl (one litre) is larger than the standard 70 cl bottle. It was a popular size for duty-free and hospitality markets, but is now rare in general retail — which adds to its rarity and collector appeal.

Is the whisky inside different from the current Bowmore 12 Year?

It can be. Older bottlings of Bowmore 12 Year are often considered to have a slightly different flavour profile than more recent releases — more complex and with a different character after maturation, in the view of many collectors and enthusiasts.

Should I drink it or keep it?

As a collector's piece, there is a case for keeping it sealed. Historical Bowmore bottles with distinctive packaging tend to hold or grow in collector interest over time. The decision depends entirely on your priorities.

What can I expect from the flavour?

Classic Bowmore 12 Year profile: peat smoke, citrus, plum, sea salt and a light nutty sweetness. At 43% it has enough weight to show the character without overpowering. Browse our selection of Islay Whisky.

Can it still be drunk if it is old?

Yes. Properly stored whisky does not deteriorate in the bottle. If the bottle has been kept sealed and stored away from heat and direct light, the whisky inside will be unchanged.

What is Bowmore 12 Year traditionally matured in?

Bowmore 12 Year is traditionally matured on a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, which produces the characteristic balance of citrus and vanilla from the bourbon and darker fruit notes from the sherry.