The Gen XY Lifestyle
Bowmore Launches Exclusive Range Of Single Malts
The Active Age was recently invited to a tasting session organised by Bowmore at Yoyogi, The Grandstand in Singapore and introduced to their new range of travel retail single malt whiskies.
Islay’s oldest whisky distillery, Bowmore, launches an exclusive range of single malt whiskies – Black Rock, Gold Reef and White Sands – at travel retail
Islay is one of the famous whisky “regions” in Scotland, the others being the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay single malt whiskies are usually recognised by their characteristic smokiness and in many whiskies, a distinct sea saltiness. Flavours contributed, no doubt, by their proximity to the coast and perhaps how the spring water used filtered through the peat.
We had the privilege of attending a tasting session organised by Bowmore to introduce their new range of single malt whiskies – Black Rock, Gold Reef and White Sands.
Available since April 2014, travellers would be happy to know that the range is sold exclusively at travel retail only. In the Asia region, these whiskies are currently available for purchase at the Singapore DFS (duty free shops) stores.
Gordon Dundas, Global Brand Ambassador at Bowmore shared that travel retail makes up nearly 25% of their business. With this range, they are looking to introduce Islay and the “high styles” of Bowmore to the discerning traveller.
Black Rock (40% ABV, 1 litre)
Foods paired with:
Fresh live sea urchin in shell
Thinly sliced amber jack fish with summer truffle
Black Rock is named for the jaggy outcrop that rises above Loch Indaal and is visible in Bowmore’s bay.
It is a rich, single malt, matured in a first-fill, ex-Spanish sherry cask that provides for a balanced taste of peat smoke, treacle toffee and orange. It had the shortest finish of the range and the smell of the peat smoke provided a lively contrast with the amber jack fish.
Only 20,000 cases of Black Rock are available. The recommended retail price at Singapore DFS is SGD 92.70.
Gold Reef (43% ABV, 1 Litre)
Foods paired with:
Assorted raw fish (sashimi)
Signature Sakura ebi pasta
Gold Reef has deep, golden hues and the name was inspired by the sun’s rays as it reflects off the coral seabed along the coast of Islay.
The whisky is matured in American oak, ex-bourbon casks and gives a taste of vanilla, sea salt and citrus fruits. It’s stronger than the Black Rock and has a medium to long finish. The sea salt paired well with the sashimi.
The recommended retail price at Singapore DFS is SGD123.70.
White Sands (43% ABV, 70cl)
Foods paired with:
Japanese omi beef bowl with organic egg
Dessert of Japanese mocha, cheese cake and fresh fruits
Just south of Bowmore lie the beaches of the Big Strand and Laggan Bay, home to the beautiful picture that inspired the name of the third single malt in this range – White Sands.
White Sands is the spiritual successor to Bowmore’s famous 17 Year Old single malt. The distillery recognises the strong demand and favoured place the 17 Year Old occupies with many a whisky lover and has repackaged it as White Sands.
White Sands is matured for 17 years in Bowmore’s oldest maturation warehouses – the No. 1 Vault. The whisky shows off a balance between the sweet malt and the warmth of peat smoke. There are hints of fruits, toffee and the familiar sea salt, neatly combined with a long finish.
The recommended retail price is SGD 162.70.
Photo credit: Photos courtesy of Bowmore
