Bowmore's Sherry Cask Scotch Whisky Collection is Arriving in America

The exquisite selection of premium single malts has finally reached the United States for the Christmas season.

Bowmore

More than a year after Bowmore unveiled a new Sherry Oak Cask Collection, Islay’s oldest licensed Scotch distillery is finally introducing the spicy, fruit-forward single malt whiskies to the United States—two of which are currently available for purchase, potentially as a holiday present for a connoisseur of fine spirits.

“We are pleased to present this new collection to our fans in the US, where the appreciation for barrel ageing and the whisky sophistication they anticipate is at an unprecedented peak,” stated Simon Brooking, national ambassador of Scotch at Suntory Global Spirits. The expressions exemplify the remarkable artistry of Bowmore, guided by Master Blender Dr. Calum Fraser, featuring four age statements that serve as a master class in sherry finishing within whisky production.

Although all were matured in various combinations of Sherry casks, each maturation varies in duration and the types of wood employed. The 12-year-old bottle originated in European wood Oloroso sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon barrels, concluding its maturation in European oak casks seasoned with Oloroso sherry. The tasting notes indicate that "sweet spice and nuttiness are prominent, while a smouldering smokiness integrates seamlessly with fruity and woody notes derived from the Sherry casks."

Bowmore

The 15-year-old expression exemplifies the sophistication of Bowmore’s single malt, incorporating a nuance of sweetness derived from judicious ageing in first-fill Oloroso barrels. It was aged for 15 years in European wood Oloroso sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon barrels, thereafter finished in European oak Oloroso sherry seasoned casks. Anticipate "natural smoke and minerality accompanied by a woodier, sweeter, and fruitier conclusion."

The 18-year-old was matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and European wood Oloroso sherry casks before being finished in Pedro Ximénez casks, which contributed a “fresh sweetness of vibrant fruit notes” balanced with smokiness. The 21-year-old underwent a comparable process, although allocated an additional three years in American oak to attain a "multi-layered character."

All bottles feature a black label, reminiscent of the coveted “Black Bowmore,” which was initially placed in casks in 1964 and experienced five releases in increasingly limited quantities from the 1990s to the 2010s. The 12-year-old (40% ABV) and 15-year-old (43% ABV) bottles are currently available for $90 and $160, respectively. The 18-year-old (43% ABV) and 21-year-old (47% ABV) will be released prior to Valentine’s Day 2026.