Bowmore wave

Bowmore 10 years old, bottled at 46 % abv by Cadenhead’s

First things first: This is a batch of Bowmore matured in bourbon barrels and then bottled at a lower strength on 15 May 2026. As usual for the Original Collection. What do you think of the new Cadenhead bottle shape? I think it is a big improvement. 

Upon Sipping: Plain barrels and Bowmore are just a match made in heaven. Even at just 10 years old, this Bowmore by Cadenhead’s already delivers a strong tropical note. Compared to older expressions, like the one we taste next, the peaty signature is a little stronger. But just a little, Bowmore was never a peat monster, was (s)he? Light peaches, smoky apples, some lychees and delicate barley notes. Just lovely. On the palate, we do notice the age is still quite young. The fruit is still there and very well balanced, but the body feels a bit light. When I swallow, the tropical explosion compensates for all of that. On repeated sipping, I pick up some more peatiness, but very floral and drenched in mango and pineapple juices. 

Word to the Wise: I am totally baffled by this Bowmore. It has the fruitiness that most older siblings also carry. How can it be present already at such a young age? Well, we don’t mind this one bit, and suggest this bottling should come with a warning. It is dangerously drinkable! You will down a bottle of this in an evening with friends, easy! Great choice by Cadenhead to bottle this at 10 years of age. 

Score: 88 points.

Bowmore 18 years old, 2007 – 2026, bottled at 50,3 % abv by Boogieman Import

First things first: Just one bourbon hogshead and just 90 bottles. This Bowmore was distilled in October 2007 and bottled in April 2026 for the 50th birthday of Stefan van der Boog, who is the Gentle Giant the label refers to. He runs a well-known whisky shop in the Netherlands. If you have not been there, you are missing out. 

Upon Sipping: The question is: was this all the cask had left, or where did the rest go? After the Bowmore by Cadenhead’s, this one is quite different when you stick your nose in the glass. More coastal notes, pebbles wet from salty sea water, some minerals. Immediately more complex. And then the fruit bursts through. Grilled pineapple on a fire of peat. Mango ice cream. When you close your eyes, you will see yellow and orange spots when you nose this. The tropical fruits become more and more chiselled as the Gentle Giant Bowmore opens up in the glass. Yes, it is beautiful to see what 8 more years and a few more abv do to a whisky. The Cadenhead’s is very forward and simple, but this Bowmore keeps changing and developing. Total brilliance. The texture on the palate is quite creamy, and the peatiness seems much more present. This delivers a lot of oomph in the drinking experience. When swallowing, the liquid is almost sticky while it goes down, painting the throat with that typical pineapple smoke. With a touch of water, the Bowmore fruit explodes with intensity, with perhaps some more minerals and sea breeze. This is definitely one of the more maritime Bowmore I have had in a while, and I love this side of the liquid, as often the attention goes to the fruity notes. This bottle brings just that little extra notch.