Bowmore Of. Bicentenary 1779-1979

Lot presentation

Bowmore Of. Bicentenary 1779-1979

The wine

Bowmore Bicentenary is a blend of whiskies from the 1950s and 1960s, released in 1979, as the name implies, to mark the distillery’’s bicentenary. The casks were selected from the famous Vault No.1, which was also responsible for another renowned bottling, the Black Bowmore. The bottle, which is decorated with the Morrison clan’’s coat of arms, is a replica of an old hand-blown bottle. Another 1964 version of the Bicentenary exists, presented in the same bottle.

Founded on the shores of Loch Indaal, in the heart of the village of Bowmore from which it takes its name, this distillery is one of the most historic on the island of Islay. Its development took on a new dimension in 1963, when Stanley P. Morrison acquired it. Under his leadership, Bowmore gradually established itself as one of the most recognized signatures in Scotch whisky, before joining the Japanese group Suntory in 1994. Bowmore's reputation is intimately linked to its iconic cellar n°1, the "No. 1 Vaults", one of the distillery's most emblematic places. Located below sea level, in the immediate vicinity of the coast and protected by a of natural rocks, it offers unique maturation conditions, marked by high humidity and the constant influence of the marine environment. Several of Bowmore's most sought-after bottlings have aged there, including the 1963 Bowmore 30 Year Old and the Bowmore Bicentenary. Bowmore also remains committed to continuing important traditions. In particular, the distillery continues to malt some of the barley used in the production of its whiskies on site, a practice that has become rare in Scotland. Bowmore's style is distinguished by a characteristic balance between peat, maritime freshness and aromatic richness. Depending on the ageing, the smoky and medicinal notes can be accompanied by liquorice, eucalyptus, spices and exotic fruits. This fruity dimension, particularly expressive in some old vintages, is one of the distillery's most recognizable signatures. The maturation in old bourbon casks, such as Bowmore White 1964, as well as in old sherry casks, exemplified by the legendary Black Bowmore 1964, testify to the depth and diversity of its style.