Bowmore 15 Year Old, 2001, Benchmark by Murray McDavid

Limited Release - 935 bottles.

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Islay. Its delicately peated, well-balanced spirit has been an inspiration for many a whisky lover for many years. This Bowmore single malt has been matured for its final four years in a fresh port pipe.

This Bowmore was originally matured in a 500-litre sherry cask to give slow, gentle maturation. The European oak gives the spirit a soft oaky spiciness and dried fruit flavours.

After seven years maturing in the Sherry butt, the Murray McDavid Whisky Creations Team transferred the whisky into a freshly emptied first-fill Port wine cask, or 'pipe'. The rich, sweet, fruity Port gives additional depth of flavour and further increases the smoky character of this classic Islay peated malt.

Aroma: sea spray with a hint of smoke, peaty, perfume.

Taste: earthy, bitter sweet, medicinal and sweet smoke.

Matured in a sherry butt and finished in a port pipe, bottled at 46% alcohol exclusively for the US market