The travel retail-exclusive Bowmore Appellations range blends Islay Peat with flavours from Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Douro ValleySuntory Global Spirits has revealed two whisky collections from its Bowmore brand, including a travel retail-exclusive series called the Bowmore Appellations Collection.
The releases, which will be available from October, are part of Bowmore’s broader strategy to elevate and premiumise its single malt whisky offerings.
The Bowmore Appellations Collection is born from a collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned wine-producing regions. The collection features four distinct whiskies, finished variously in casks from Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Douro Valley — showcasing the interplay between Bowmore’s Islay roots and European terroirs.
It will debut at key global travel retail hubs, starting with London Heathrow and Singapore Changi airports.
The Bowmore 14 Year Old is matured in American oak ex-Bourbon casks and finished in Bordeaux barriques. The whisky offers a vibrant character with smoky and orchard fruit aromas, enhanced by berry sweetness.
The Bowmore 16 Year Old is a rich and complex whisky matured in a combination of American oak ex-Bourbon and European oak Sherry casks, with a finish in Ruby Port casks from the Douro Valley.
The Bowmore 19 Year Old is finished in Pinot Noir casks from Burgundy, delivering a subtly smoky and well-rounded character with toasted and caramelised notes.
The Bowmore 22 Year Old is matured in American oak ex-Bourbon casks and finished in Sauternes casks. It is described as sweet with fruity undertones, offering unprecedented complexity.
The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan was on location in Islay, Scotland from 26-28 June to discover the range and visit the Bowmore Distillery. The intimate media event was attended by key Suntory Global Spirits executives including: Global Marketing Manager Ekaterina Kolesnik; Senior Marketing Manager – Prestige Brands Kshama Alur and Senior Marketing Manager – Core & Local Brands Global Travel Shomita Shah. Stay tuned for our On Location report soon.
The Bowmore Sherry Oak Collection — launching in domestic markets from September — emphasises the role of European oak Sherry casks in developing depth and flavour. This collection includes a 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old, 18 Year Old, and 21 Year Old, each designed to highlight different dimensions of Bowmore’s signature style. The Sherry Oak range will be rolled out to major cities including London, Paris, Toronto and Munich.
“Travel retail is a key showroom for our global brands, and I am very proud that we are able to offer our retail partners such an exceptional new channel-exclusive collection,” commented Suntory Global Spirits Brand Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel González.
“Bowmore Appellations is a very special series, a showcase for the multi-dimensional Bowmore spirit and the different terroirs celebrated through these expressions.”
Bowmore Marketing Director Kirsteen Beeston commented: “We have a duty of care as custodians of this incredible distillery to best reflect and capture the true essence of Bowmore out of both respect to all that has been achieved so far but equally out of a desire to ensure we honour the spirit as we know it today.
“As such we made the decision to evolve the world which surrounds the brand across brand creative experience and innovation.”
The new collections are part of a broader initiative to reflect the evolving story of Bowmore, which is approaching its 250th anniversary. The reimagined packaging and design, inspired by Bowmore’s rich heritage, will also be extended across the brand’s permanent portfolio starting in 2025. ✈
