Bowmore 15 Year Darkest Sherry (75cl, 43%)

A 15-year-old Islay single malt Scotch whisky from Bowmore Distillery, bottled at 43% ABV in a 750 ml bottle. The distillery was founded in 1779 and is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay. Roughly 25% of the barley is floor-malted in-house, with the rest from commercial maltings, and the barley is peated to 25-30 ppm phenol levels. The whisky matures for 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels before finishing for three years in Oloroso sherry casks. Maturation takes place in seaside warehouses below the high-tide line. The nose has smoky caramel and dates, red fruit, citrus peel, dry sherry and sea salt. The palate is rich and malty, with dark chocolate, cocktail cherries, cola syrup, dried fruit, peat smoke, black peppercorn and dry oak. The finish is long and warming, with sherry, brine, soft peat, allspice and toasted oak.