Bowmore 12 AnosBowmore 12 Anos

The house that makes this spirit.

Where the distillery or house that makes this spirit is located. Origin matters: climate, water and local traditions shape the style.

Country of origin of this spirit.

The age on the label is that of the youngest whiskey in the blend: every component spent at least 12 years in cask. Only time in wood counts — once bottled, whiskey does not age.

The cask the spirit matured in gives colour, aroma and texture. Many houses use casks that previously held another drink:
• Sherry: casks that held wine from Jerez; they tend to give dried fruit, raisins and spice.
• Ex-bourbon: American oak that first aged bourbon (US law requires new casks for bourbon, so many are available second-hand); they tend to give vanilla, coconut and caramel.
A finish is a final period of maturation in a second cask.

The raw material that is fermented and distilled.

% ABV is alcohol by volume. In the European Union the legal minimum is 40% for whiskey and 37.5% for gin, rum and vodka. Cask strength means bottled at the cask's natural strength, without dilution. A few drops of water can open up the aromas.

A 700 ml bottle gives about 17 measures of 4 cl. Once opened, store it upright, tightly closed and away from light and heat: spirits keep well for months but slowly lose aroma once the bottle is half empty.