Bowmore – 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask (43%)

This is an 18 year old Islay single malt from Bowmore, a distillery founded in 1779. It was matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, then given a finish in Pedro Ximénez casks. It is bottled at 43%. The bourbon wood brings creamy, vanilla and spicy influences, and the sherry casks add dark fruit and gentle spice. Peat smoke and a coastal character run alongside them. The nose combines dark chocolate, toffee, pineapple, dates, orange zest and peat smoke. On the palate come juicy raisins, orange peel, aniseed, cocoa and syrupy notes.