2001 Bowmore 14YO “Hepburn’s Choice” Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength at K&L – Scotch Whisky News
($82.99)
While Bowmore seems to play second (or even fourth) fiddle to the Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig selections on our shelf, we’ve always been enamored with Islay’s most historic distillery. We’ve never let popular whisky culture or changes in the portfolio diminish the fact that Bowmore tastes pretty damn good in a number of iterations. While tasting through single-cask selections this year, we found a 14-year-old sherry butt that was so dark and so soft we couldn’t pass it up. The best part about this particular expression was the texture; it mirrored the most popular Bowmore edition we sell: the 15-year-old “Darkest,” albeit at full proof and from one concentrated cask (and despite the fact this was supposedly a “refill” barrel). The flavors are dark and rich, brooding and slow-moving over the palate. Dark chocolate accented by a beach bonfire oozes over the tongue, buoyed by toasted almonds and earthy peat. The nice part about sherry butts is that they hold more whisky! In the case of this 14-year-old Bowmore, we figured we were going to need every drop. We expect this to be one of the most popular K&L casks of the fall season; while it lasts, of course.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 21, 2016
With tons of vanilla and cinnamon on the nose and the lovely smoky phenolics of classic Bowmore this refill sherry cask is not to be missed. The deeper than expected sherry profile gives the sweet profile of candy coated nuts at a carnival. Its smooth and textural but still robust thanks to the cask strength bottling. Sweet earth like fresh black gold compost and a hint of salinity round out this steal. We probably should have priced this north of $100, but we love having great deals on our shelves as much as you do!
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 18, 2016
The color of this wonderful cask is a dark brown reflecting the sherry barrel aging. In the nose there are inviting light smoke aromas. In the mouth it is rich and round, showing the influence of the sherry.The sherry barrel did not make this Bowmore overly sweet but added complexity and helps make this single malt so good and easy to enjoy . There is a nice long finish.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 17, 2016
An absolutely delicious smoky whisky that should please any fan of the genre. This has everything: smoke, peat, sherry, campfire, earth, chocolate, toffee, and even a nuttiness that finishes with poise and presence. I’ll be recommending this to everyone looking for something beyond Lagavulin 16.

















