Bowmore 1989/2010 A D Rattray 21 year old Single Cask Islay Malt Whisky 52,2%

There are whiskies you open for a special occasion. And there are whiskies that are the occasion. A 21-year-old Bowmore from 1989, bottled directly from a single sherry cask — only 240 bottles, exclusively for the Danish market — falls unmistakably into the second category.

Expert's description

Bowmore 1989/2010 A.D. Rattray 21 Year is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a sherry cask (cask no. 1099) and bottled at 52.2%. A. Dewar Rattray is one of Scotland's most respected independent bottlers, and Tim Morrison behind the company knows Bowmore from the inside — his family owned the distillery from 1963 to 1994 before Suntory took over. This gives the bottling a particular credibility. Cask no. 1099, a sherry cask, received new make spirit on 18 February 1989 and was bottled exactly 21 years later, on 18 February 2010. That symmetry is rare. Non-chill filtered, natural colour, at natural cask strength of 52.2% and selected specifically for the Danish market — only 240 bottles in total.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dark fruit at the front — stewed plums, raisins and a trace of leather. Behind it, Bowmore's sea salt and gentle smoke, now wrapped in the warmth of old sherry oak.

Taste

Rich and layered. Dark chocolate, dried fig and orange peel with a warming peat smoke running through the middle. The sherry cask has left its mark deeply — yet the Islay character remains intact.

Finish

Long and complex. Smoke, dried fruit and gentle spice continue for minutes. One of the longest finishes you will find in a Bowmore of this age.

Specifications

Name: Bowmore 1989/2010 A. Dewar Rattray Individual Cask Bottling
Distillery: Bowmore
Bottler: A. Dewar Rattray
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 52.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry cask (cask no. 1099)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 18.02.1989
Bottled: 18.02.2010
Number of bottles: 240
Edition: Individual Cask Bottling – Danish exclusive

Flavour profile

Sherried · Aged · Peated · Maritime · Single Cask

Investment potential

High. A 1989 vintage Bowmore single cask with only 240 bottles, a Danish exclusive and bottled by a family with direct ties to the distillery. An exceptional and increasingly rare collector's bottle.

Did you know?

The Morrison family, who owned Bowmore from 1963 to 1994, also owned Highland Park and Auchentoshan. Tim Morrison — the man behind A. Dewar Rattray today — grew up with Bowmore as part of his family's heritage, giving these releases a personal dimension most independent bottlings lack.

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Frequently asked questions about Bowmore 1989/2010 A D Rattray 21 Year Single Cask

Who is A.D. Rattray and what defines their bottlings?

A.D. Rattray is a Scottish independent bottler founded in 1868 in Kirkintilloch. Known for selecting exceptional single casks from Scottish distilleries and bottling them unadulterated — natural colour, non-chill filtered, straight from the cask.

Is a 21-year-old Bowmore single cask from 1989 worth it?

Absolutely. 1989 is a sought-after vintage for Bowmore, and 21 years in cask delivers a depth and complexity that is rarely found. The single cask designation makes it a unique expression that cannot be repeated.

What is a single cask bottling?

Single cask means the whisky was drawn from one cask only — not blended with anything else. The result is unique: no two single casks are alike, and once the cask is bottled, that exact whisky is gone.

Why was this bottling exclusively for Denmark?

A.D. Rattray selected this cask specifically for the Danish market — a practice not uncommon among independent bottlers who work with individual markets or specialist retailers. This makes the bottle particularly rare outside Denmark.

How does 21 years in a sherry cask affect the character?

Profoundly. The sherry cask has imparted dark fruit, dried fig and chocolate warmth over 21 years, while also drawing out Bowmore's natural smoke and coastal notes into a seamless whole. Far richer and more complex than any core range Bowmore.

How should I store this bottle if I'm keeping it as a collector's piece?

Store upright in a cool, dark location away from temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight. Once opened, consume within a few years for best quality — the 52.2% ABV helps preserve it considerably.