Bowmore – 16 Year Old Ruby Port Cask Finish (70cl, 43%)

Bowmore 16 Year Old is an Islay single malt finished in ruby port casks from the Douro Valley. Before the finish it matured in ex-bourbon casks of American oak and sherry casks of European oak. It is bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle, with added colouring, and is chill-filtered. Bowmore has worked on the shore of Loch Indaal since 1779 and still malts part of its barley on its own floors, turning it by hand. Peat smoke is used in the kilning. The nose combines leather and blackcurrant with fennel seed, a little ginger and bonfire embers. On the palate are soft chocolate fudge and demerara sugar with salted walnuts and oak, and the finish leaves a sweet, gentle smoke.