Eddie MacAffer, voted Whisky Distillery Manager of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s 2013 Icons of Whisky Awards
This week (25th March 2013) Morrison Bowmore Distillers are raising a dram to Bowmore Distillery Manager Eddie MacAffer as he scoops a Whisky Magazine’s Global Icon Award.
The awards, which are designed to celebrate the people and places behind the great whiskies of the world are judged by an international panel that vote over four rounds for companies based in Scotland, USA and the rest of the world. The Distillery Manager Award is one of two new categories for the awards this year.
Eddie MacAffer has been skillfully caretaking the Bowmore Distillery for over 40 years, as a man and boy. Starting his career back in 1966 Eddie has worked his way up the ranks, helping Bowmore through difficult and challenging times. His pride and passion for the distillery is evident as he takes the tours at the Distillery, with his impeccable knowledge having worked across all areas of the Distillery: the warehouse, malt barn, head maltman, brewer, head distiller and to distillery manager.
Eddie says of his success ‘I am extremely proud for myself, my family, Bowmore Distillery and Morrison Bowmore Distillers that I was presented with this honour’.
Eddie has released a number of whiskies in his time including 12, 15, 18, Surf, 17, Tempest 10, Engima12, Mariner15, Laimrig 15 as well as some rare whiskies and Islay festival special bottlings.
For more information, please visit www.bowmore.com and www.facebook.com/bowmore
Please enjoy Bowmore responsibly
NOTES:
Bowmore
The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience.
Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.
Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.
Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.
They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.
It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.
The Bowmore domestic product range:
- Bowmore Legend
- Bowmore 12 Years Old
- Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’
- Bowmore 18 Years Old
- Bowmore 25 Years Old
Islay
Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer than eight distilleries.
