Bowmore The Devils Cask 10 Year Old Small Batch Release II Single Islay Malt Whisky 56.3%

Dark, concentrated and with Bowmore's maritime DNA wrapped in layers of sherry sweetness. Devil's Cask Batch II is the release many consider the most harmonious of the series — and when you open a bottle, it becomes clear why.

Expert's description

Bowmore Devil's Cask 10 Year Small Batch Release II is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in first-fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and bottled at 56.3%. The second release in the legendary Devil's Casks series — one of the most sought-after sherry bomb expressions from Islay. Released in 2014, it was quickly snapped up by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Matured for 10 years in a combination of first-fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, giving an extremely deep, dark and intense flavour profile. Bottled at 56.3%, it delivers a powerful, concentrated experience where Bowmore's smoky and maritime DNA meets massive sherry sweetness. Batch II is regarded by many as one of the most harmonious releases in the series and stands today as a modern classic.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dark fruits, raisins, dates and burnt sugar with dark chocolate. Behind it, warm spiced smoke from Islay's peat — everything filtered through the depth of Pedro Ximénez sweetness.

Taste

Thick and rich. Treacle, dark berries and Christmas cake spice. The sherry intensity is extraordinary; peat announces itself beneath the fruit and chocolate layers.

Finish

Very long and warming. Dark chocolate, espresso and a trail of coastal smoke that slowly fades. The PX sweetness lingers well after the peat has gone.

Specifications

Name: Bowmore Devil's Cask 10 Year Small Batch Release II
Distillery: Bowmore
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
ABV: 56.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First-fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks
Edition: Small Batch Release II (2014)

Flavour profile

Heavily sherried · Peated · Dark fruit · Rich · Cask strength

Investment potential

Medium. A discontinued small batch cask strength release — the sherry intensity, limited nature of the series and 56.3% bottling make it appealing for serious Bowmore enthusiasts and collectors.

Did you know?

The name "Devil's Casks" refers to Bowmore's famous Vaults warehouses. The legend goes that the Devil steals a portion of the whisky each year as it matures — what whisky people know as "the angels' share". Bowmore gave this familiar phenomenon a darker, more dramatic twist.

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Frequently asked questions about Bowmore The Devil's Casks 10 Year Small Batch Release II

What is the story behind The Devil's Casks series?

The series is named after Bowmore's famous Vaults — warehouses below sea level at Loch Indaal — where legend says the Devil steals a little whisky each year. It celebrates Bowmore's darkest, most intense side.

Is Bowmore Devil's Cask Release II worth buying?

Yes. As a small batch cask strength Bowmore at 56.3%, it delivers far more intensity than the standard range. The series designation makes it attractive to collectors and enthusiasts who want the full Bowmore experience.

What is the difference between Release I and Release II?

Both are drawn from different casks and bottled separately. Release I (56.9%) uses first-fill sherry casks only; Release II (56.3%) adds Pedro Ximénez casks to the mix, giving it a denser and sweeter sherry profile. Many regard Release II as the more harmonious of the two.

How should I drink a 56.3% whisky?

Start neat to understand the full character, then add a small amount of water. At cask strength, water genuinely opens the whisky up — reducing alcohol intensity and letting the fruit and peat breathe.

Is the bottle suitable for collecting?

Yes. The Devil's Cask series is discontinued and increasingly sought-after. The distinctive bottle design and limited nature of the release add to its collectability.

How does it compare to standard Bowmore 12 Year?

No comparison in terms of intensity. Where Bowmore 12 Year is gentle and accessible, the Devil's Cask is powerful, dense and uncompromising. Same distillery DNA — completely different scale.