Bowmore 25 Year Old 1996 - The Distiller's Anthology 01 Review
The Bowmore 25 Year Old 1996 - The Distiller's Anthology 01 is a distillery exclusive whisky from the Bowmore distillery. The whisky was aged for 25 years in Oloroso sherry casks. As it reads on the box, the whisky commemorates distillery manager David Turner who has worked at Bowmore since 1990.
Only 3,516 bottles of this whisky were produced. While it is a distillery exclusive, meaning it could only have been purchased from the Bowmore distillery on Islay, it has been sold in whisky auctions and you can find it online. That being said, expect a significant markup on the secondary market.
I bought this whisky at the Bowmore distillery in April 2023. I was there for a tour and a tasting at the distillery, which I highly recommend if you visit Islay. I was lucky to have the opportunity to sample it from the bar at the distillery before buying. If this whisky has caught your eye and you have the chance to get it for a reasonable price, hopefully this review can help you determine if it’s worth the steep price.
The Basics
Cask: Oloroso Sherry
ABV: 50.2%
Color: Dark mahogany
Nose: Dried fruit, BBQ, wood, subtle peat, strong alcohol smell
Number of Bottles: 3,516
Bottle Number: 794
Cost: 490 pounds or more than $600 US dollars
Purchased at: Bowmore Distillery on Islay
Taste
The peat is present as part of both the palate and finish. It is not overwhelming, which is typical of Bowmore whiskies. They are known for a more subdued amount of peat. The sip starts with a taste of peat and then there is a transition to the sweet notes (raisins, cinnamon, and caramel), and finishing with a transition into heavy peat flavor. At no point is the peat harsh. It is always pleasant and compliments the subtle sweetness of the sherry well. After sipping, you can take deep breaths through your nose to feel the warmth of the whisky lingering on.
Neat or With Water
I found adding two drops of water to this whisky helped to bring out some of the sweeter notes provided by the sherry cask. With a whisky this old, you should always give it a try neat before rushing to add water. However, it still has an ABV of 50.2%, which is not too high or too low for an older whisky. This allows for water to still compliment the whisky well.
Summary
For those who love sweeter casks, such as sherry, red wine, or port, in combination with peat, this whisky lives up to the hype. I was very lucky to have visited the distillery in April 2023 and had the chance to take a bottle home with me. I was also very fortunate to have the opportunity to taste it in advance, which is such a rarity as an American.
Is it worth 490 pounds, though? To me, the answer is yes. Would I have ever bought this for more than that? No way. In combination with the markup and shipping to the US from auctions or online retailers, it would simply be too much. Even if I lived in Europe, it would probably be a pretty steep price.
The price of this whisky is very high even if you bought it on Islay, but it’s reasonable for what it is. You just don’t find 25-year aged, Oloroso sherry cask whisky with a peaty twist every day. So while the price is high, the product is quite special. In the whisky auction I linked previously, the bottle sold for 627 pounds. At online stores, I found it for about 549 pounds.
My recommendation for buying this is to visit the Bowmore Distillery if you are planning a trip to Islay and hope there is some left. If you see it on the secondary market, kindly pass on it. The whisky itself is every bit as special as advertised, and at the very least you should try a dram at the Bowmore distillery bar or at The Bowmore Hotel bar, which surely has it.