Bowmore – 25 Year Old (75cl, 43%)

This is a 25-year-old Islay single malt from Bowmore, bottled at 43% in a 750ml bottle. It was matured for a quarter of a century in a combination of American oak ex-Bourbon casks and European oak Oloroso sherry casks. The result balances Bowmore's gentle peat smoke and maritime character with rich, sherry-driven fruit. The nose has dried plums, sultanas, raspberries, rhubarb and creamy vanilla. On the palate are sweet stone fruit, soft toffee and roasted hazelnuts, with subtle oak and delicate peat smoke. The finish is long and mellow, with lingering sweetness and smoky warmth.