Bowmore 18 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 43%

Down at Bowmore the warehouses sit below the waterline, with the Atlantic pressing against the walls. Eighteen years is a long time for peat smoke to settle. Then Pedro Ximénez arrived and added one last coat of dark sweetness.

Expert description

Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and bottled at 43%.

It belongs to Bowmore's Sherry Oak Collection, launched in 2024 in four ages: 12, 15, 18 and 21 years. The range is built around European oak and sherry, and only the 18 and 21 get a final Pedro Ximénez finish.

The cask story is a long one. First 18 years in hand-selected ex-bourbon casks of American oak and oloroso sherry casks of European oak. The bourbon wood brings vanilla and lighter fruit, while the oloroso adds nuts and dried fruit. Finally the whisky is finished in European oak casks that previously held Pedro Ximénez, a sherry that tastes almost like raisin wine and pulls the whisky towards the darker end: dates, cocoa, treacle.

The smoke is still there, but it sits behind the fruit rather than in front of it. The citrus notes keep the sweetness from turning heavy.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dark chocolate and freshly ground cocoa right away, then toffee with a dense, treacly sweetness. Dates, orange zest and a surprising chunk of fresh pineapple. Underneath it all the peat smoke hums away.

Palate

Bitter orange peel and plump sultanas. Aniseed and cocoa nibs follow, and halfway through the smoke slips in softly, a little meaty and warm. The sweetness never quite lets go.

Finish

Long and fruity. Raisins, cocoa and a thread of smoke that fades very slowly.

Specifications

Name: Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask Islay Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Bowmore
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks
Natural colour: No
Edition: Sherry Oak Collection
EAN no.: 5010496002674

Flavour profile

Lightly smoky · Sherry-matured · Dark fruit · Chocolate · Citrus

Did you know?

The black bottle and label of the Sherry Oak Collection pay tribute to Black Bowmore, the famous whisky distilled in 1964.

See our full range of Bowmore

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask

Is Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask worth it?

Yes, if you like sherried whisky with a little smoke. You get 18 years across three cask types, a Pedro Ximénez finish and whisky from Islay's oldest distillery, a combination you rarely see in a permanent range. If you want more smoke, look at a different bottle.

What is the difference between Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask and the regular Bowmore 18 Year Old?

The Sherry Oak Cask has a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask finish that the regular 18 does not. That gives more dark fruit, cocoa and sweetness, while the regular bottling leans more maritime and spicy.

Is Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask very smoky?

No, the smoke is restrained. It sits behind chocolate, dates and orange zest and only really shows up mid-palate. If you are new to Islay Whisky, it is a gentle way in.

How do you drink Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask?

Neat and at room temperature in a tulip-shaped glass, so the dark fruit does not get lost in the alcohol. At 43% it does not need water, but a single drop can open up the cocoa. See our selection of whisky glasses.

What goes well with Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask?

Dark chocolate is the obvious choice. One recommended serving is venison with beetroot and girolles, where the sherry sweetness and smoke can work with the earthy flavour of the meat.

What defines Bowmore as a distillery?

Bowmore was founded in 1779 and is Islay's oldest distillery. It sits by the harbour in the town of Bowmore and is known for a mix of smoke, sea and sherry sweetness. See our range of Islay Whisky.