BOWMORE 1972 45 YEAR OLD
Bowmore distillery was founded in 1779 and is the oldest distillery on Islay. Approximately 30% of the barley used is malted on-site and the legendary warehouse number 1 is below sea level. The Bowmore’s of the 1960’s and 1970’s are legendary in their own right and this 1972 vintage is a great example of this era full of complex fruits and elegant peat.
- Limited production
Established in 1998 by Andrew Symington, Signatory Vintage is now regarded as one of the most dynamic, flexible and innovative bottlers in the industry. Signatory bottle whiskies across a number of ranges such as Cask Strength and Un-Chill Filtered collections. Bowmore in 1972, the closing year of a chapter in whiskey history, was astonishing for this brewery of richly fruit-rich tropical wines. This 1972 vintage is ready to join the legendary Bowmore collection, bottled by the Signatory Vintage to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Signatory Vintage (1988-2018).
This sensational 45 year old Islay single malt was laid to sleep at the Bowmore distillery on the 21st June 1972 and bottled especially for the 30th Anniversary of visionary independent bottlers, Signatory Vintage, on the 8th June 2018. Only 246 bottles of Bowmore 1972 45 years were released globally. Each bottle is bottled at 46.7% concentration ABV with a volume of 700ml. The bottle is presented in a black lacker box with 2 Signatory Vintage branded Glencairn glasses.
- Rich fragrance of tropical fruit
To think that Signatory are still able to issue casks of Bowmore from the distilleries golden era is pretty awesome if you ask me. A wonderful chance to see how some of the greatest distillate ever made matures at such ages. Colour: amber. Nose: soft, earthy, leathery old peat embers with sweet raisins, stewed dark fruits and an underlying not to those classical tropical elements. Coal, walnut wine and – with a little time – wafting notes of tar begin to emerge. Wee notes of clove, aniseed and cinnamon rock. These aspects such as mulling spices which come from the cask mingle really perfectly with the lighter fruity and smoky tones of the distillate. More oily qualities such as paraffin, lamp oil and wood polish. Some heather smoke in the background and tiny coastal touches as well. Quite brilliant. Mouth: Ooft! Superb richness and gravelly, earthy, mineral sherry qualities. The peat has almost broken down into a myriad of herbs and spices. Beyond that the tropical fruits really emerge at the back of the palate but they’re more crystallised and preserved in character. Notes of liquorice, cured meats, orange pith and grapefruit peel. Superb! Finish: Long, lingering spices, old leather, preserved lemons, smoked teas and dried herbs. Comments: Maybe a tad old in some respects but still totally glorious. An emotional old slugger still kicking
