This is one of a trio of Bowmore releases that celebrate the influence of wine finishes. Bowmore 18 Year Old Manzanilla Cask has been aged in ex-bourbon barrels for 13 years before being finished in ex-Manzanilla sherry casks for a further five years. There’s also a 26 Years wine finish and 27 Years Port finished version.

Bowmore 18 yo ‘Manzanilla Cask’ (52,5%, OB ‘Vintner’s Trilogy’ 2017)

Nose: berry sweetness and caramelized red apples. Candied orange peel. Blood oranges. Vanilla. Then some honey glazed roasted ham and embering smoke, as well as some mossy notes. Rock candy sugar. Nutmeg...