Description

Bowmore Aged 19 Years Pinot Noir Cask Finish Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 43%           Age: 19 Years Old           Country: Scotland

The Whisky

Experience a rare and poetic encounter between Islay’s rugged coast and the refined vineyards of France with the Bowmore 19 Year Old Pinot Noir Cask Finish. Originally released as an exclusive for the Amazon and Travel Retail markets, this 700ml expression has become a cult favourite for its unique maturation profile. After spending the first 18 years of its life in traditional ex-bourbon casks, the whisky was transitioned for a final year into premium French Oak Pinot Noir barriques.

Presented at 43% ABV, this 19 year old is a masterclass in subtlety. The delicate, thin-skinned Pinot Noir grape is notoriously difficult to work with, but its influence here provides a sophisticated “pink” fruit lift that perfectly complements Bowmore’s legendary “peat and perfume” house style. The result is an Islay malt that trades the typical heavy medicinal notes for an elegant, vinous complexity.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: An exquisite and floral bouquet. You are greeted by the classic Bowmore scent of scented peat smoke and dried rose petals, followed by a vibrant burst of red currants and black cherries. As it breathes, a refined sweetness of creamy vanilla and strawberry jam emerges, underpinned by a faint, earthy hint of forest floor and sea salt.

Palate: The mouthfeel is silky and exceptionally well-balanced. It opens with the lush sweetness of poached plums and summer berries, which quickly evolves into a mid-palate of honeyed malt and gentle wood spice. The Pinot Noir influence provides a sophisticated “dryness”—think pomegranate seeds and light tannins—that weaves through the trademark soft Islay smoke and citrus oils.

Finish: Long, elegant, and beautifully floral. The finish lingers with a final flourish of sweet tobacco and red berry coulis, finally tapering off with a refreshing trail of lemon zest and a whisper of peat ash.

The Distillery

Bowmore, established in 1779, is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay and sits on the edge of Loch Indaal. A unique factual detail: Bowmore is one of the few remaining distilleries to utilise its own floor maltings and the legendary No. 1 Vaults—the world’s oldest maturation warehouse, which sits below sea level. The constant damp, salty environment of the vaults allows the spirit to mature with a distinct “maritime perfume.” When this ancient Islay character meets the active, fruit forward tannins of a Pinot Noir barrique, the result is a whisky that feels both timeless and innovative.

Overall Review

The Bowmore 19 Year Old Pinot Noir Cask Finish is globally reviewed as a “beautifully integrated and feminine Islay dram,” praised for its elegance over raw power. Critics have lauded its “unique berry-led profile,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for enthusiasts who appreciate the softer, more fruit-forward side of peated whisky.