Bowmore’s 18-year-old and 15-year old travel retail exclusives were awarded gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been awarded seven medals at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWC) including gold medals for its 18-year-old and 15-year-old travel retail exclusive expressions.

The 2019 SFWC was the biggest in its history, featuring more than 3,000 entries. The judging process includes four days of highly controlled blind tastings, where the experienced judging panels taste every product to decide if it is medal-worthy.

The top awarded expression for travel retail was the Bowmore 18-year-old travel retail exclusive, which scooped gold for its deep and complex flavour. According to the brand it is a perfectly balanced whisky with a dignified maturity through time well spent in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

In addition, Bowmore 15-year-old travel retail exclusive picked up a gold medal. A golden and elegant whisky married in first fill bourbon casks and hogsheads, the brand says Bowmore 15-year-old travel retail exclusive continues to be a favourite for whisky lovers worldwide.

TOP WINNER

Bowmore’s 18-year-old expression was the distillery’s top winner, picking up a double gold for its combination of ripe fruit, dark chocolate and Islay smoke. Cosseted away in hand-selected oak casks and allowed to mature at its own sedate pace, this bottle is one of the most remarkable, perfectly balanced single malt scotch whiskies of its kind, emphasised the brand.

Gold medals were also awarded to Bowmore’s 12-year-old (left) and 25-year-old expressions. The 12-year-old is complex and balanced with subtle lemon and sweet heather honey complementing Bowmore’s trademark peat smoke.

The 25-year-old is a combination of toffee and hazelnut, bound together by sweet peat smoke. It is a whisky that has been patiently matured for a quarter of a century in North American bourbon and Spanish sherry casks.

David Turner, Manager, Bowmore Distillery commented:  “San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the top awards for the industry so it’s an honour to have picked up so many medals across our range.

“Travel retail is a major market for Bowmore, testament to the high esteem that the distillery is held in across the globe. To scoop two medals is a real honour and a rewarding moment for everyone at the distillery.”

Alongside the double gold award and four gold medals, Bowmore 15-year-old and Bowmore 10-year-old travel retail exclusive also picked up silver medals.