Bowmore 1997/2023 Symingtons Choice 25 years old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 55,9%

An Oloroso sherry butt that waited 25 years. Distilled in 1997, bottled in 2023 — and somewhere in between, Bowmore's peat and coastline merged with the cask's dark fruit in a way that simply cannot be planned.

Expert's description

Bowmore 1997/2023 Symingtons Choice 25 Year is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled as a Single Cask from an Oloroso Sherry Butt at 55.9%. Signatory Vintage released the Symingtons Choice series in 2023 as a tribute to founder Andrew Symington — a collection of carefully selected, aged single casks from Scotland's finest distilleries. This Bowmore from 1997 was drawn from cask no. 2422, a first-fill Oloroso sherry butt, at full cask strength. Distilled on 23 September 1997 and bottled on 9 February 2023 — exactly 25 years in cask. During that time, the sherry and the whisky's maritime DNA slowly found one another: dark fruit and smoke, sea air and oak. Non-chill filtered, natural colour. Bottle 427 of 616.

Tasting notes

Nose

Rich and warming. Dried plums, dark orange marmalade and fig. Behind it, Bowmore's characteristic sea salt and restrained smoke — now wrapped in sherry depth and beeswax.

Taste

Full and concentrated. Figs, dark chocolate and orange peel. The peat is present but gentle — a background note rather than the main event. Oak tannins give structure.

Finish

Very long and complex. Dried fruits, spice and lingering coastal smokiness. Dark chocolate and leather develop slowly as the glass empties.

Specifications

Name: Bowmore 1997/2023 Symingtons Choice 25 Year
Distillery: Bowmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 25 years
ABV: 55.9%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oloroso Sherry Butt (cask no. 2422)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 23.09.1997
Bottled: 09.02.2023
Number of bottles: 616
EAN no.: 5021944121854

Flavour profile

Sherried · Peated · Dark fruit · Rich · Complex

Investment potential

High. A 25-year-old single cask Bowmore from an independent bottler at cask strength is rare by any standard. Only 616 bottles were produced from this specific cask — making it a serious collector's bottle.

Did you know?

The Symingtons Choice series is named after Andrew Symington, who founded Signatory Vintage in 1988 and built it into one of Scotland's most respected independent bottlers before selling to Edrington Group in 2023.

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Frequently asked questions about Bowmore 1997/2023 Symingtons Choice 25 Year

What is Symingtons Choice?

Symingtons Choice is a series from Scottish independent bottler Signatory Vintage, selecting exceptional single casks from acclaimed distilleries. These are rare, numbered, limited releases aimed at collectors and enthusiasts.

Is a 25-year-old Bowmore at 55.9% worth the investment?

This is a unique bottle with strong investment potential and considerable depth of flavour. 25 years in cask is rare for Bowmore from an independent bottler, and the combination of age and cask strength makes it genuinely exceptional.

What happens to Bowmore after 25 years in cask?

The peat softens significantly, and complex secondary aromas emerge: dried tropical fruit, dark chocolate, orange peel, fig and deep old oak. It becomes a completely different experience from younger Bowmore expressions.

Should I add water to a 55.9% whisky?

At cask strength, a few drops of water will open up the aromas considerably and lower the perceived alcohol intensity. Start neat, then add water gradually to find the level that works for you.

How many bottles were produced?

616 bottles in total from cask no. 2422. This is a single cask release — once they're gone, that's it. The cask cannot be refilled and the precise combination of this spirit, this cask and these 25 years cannot be repeated.

How does this compare to Bowmore's own 18 and 21-year releases?

The Symingtons Choice is bottled at cask strength without chill filtration, giving it more intensity and texture than Bowmore's own releases. The 25-year age means considerably more oak influence and dark fruit complexity than the standard core range.