The Second in a Series of Bowmore Small Batch Releases, Tempest is the First to Launch in the U.S.
ISLAY, SCOTLAND – Inspired by the violent gales that at times wage war against its weather-beaten distillery, Bowmore® is proud to introduce Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 2, the second in a series of small batch releases from the first distillery on this magical island of Islay. And while this Tempest is Bowmore’s second small batch release, it will be the first to be sold on American shores. Production of this Bowmore Tempest – which embodies the spirit of the beautiful and rugged island home of Islay – is limited to only 2,000 cases, and 200 of those precious cases will arrive in the US in December 2010. The suggested retail price will be $100.00.
Aged for a decade in first fill Bourbon casks, Bowmore Tempest has a warm gold color, and a nose of dry peat smoke that invites closer inspection. The first sip delivers bursts of citrus followed by a backbone of smokiness and a sea salt tang. Bowmore Tempest is an extremely complex expression of Islay Scotch yet it adheres to the Bowmore signature style that sets it apart from its neighbors – balance. Sipping a dram of Tempest transports the Scotch lover to the shores of Islay and the cool, dark cellars of Bowmore’s legendary No. 1 vaults, located below sea level, where this whisky rested and matured for 10 years. The distillery is beaten by the wild waves off Loch Indaal, the unbridled tempest that has fought against the Bowmore distillery herself since its creation in 1779. The people of Islay are no strangers to the tempest, and the powerful weather of Islay challenges its people as well as the Bowmore distillers, who have a raw passion for creating fine Scotch.
Bowmore Tempest is a true expression of the unique Scottish island of Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides that sits off the West Coast of Scotland. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Islay has a population of only some 3,000 hardy souls, yet no fewer than eight distilleries call it home. Nature fights on Islay, where the mellow, warming influence of the Gulf Stream contrasts with the bone quaking winter storms that drive the ocean spray far inland where it washes over Islay’s peaty soil, imbuing the entire island with the taste of the sea. For this reason the Scotch whisky of Islay is some of the most robust – yet rewarding – found anywhere on earth.
TASTING NOTES: BOWMORE TEMPEST SMALL BATCH RELEASE NO. 2
* Color Warm gold
* Nose Dry peat smoke perfectly balanced by delicious zesty lemon pepper
* Palate Initial burst of lemon pepper following by the signature Bowmore peaty sea-salt tang; the citrus returns at the end adding balance and complexity to the mouthfeel
* Finish Fresh lemon pepper
Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 2 (56% ABV) arrives in the U.S. this December and can be found at retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price of $100.00 for a 750ml bottle. The first bottling of Bowmore Tempest was released last year in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and Canada.
THE BOWMORE DISTILLERY
Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt. Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our single malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovels. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt drying kiln.
Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The famous Bowmore No. 1 vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall. They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavors. It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore single malt whiskies.
ABOUT BOWMORE (www.bowmore.com, www.facebook.com/bowmore)
The award-winning Bowmore portfolio includes Bowmore Legend, 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old Darkest, 18 Year Old and 25 Year Old in addition to special limited-edition bottlings such as Bowmore Black, White, Gold and Bowmore 40 Year Old. Bowmore is available nationwide in the U.S. and in more than 45 countries worldwide. The Bowmore portfolio is imported to the U.S. by Skyy Spirits, LLC.
ABOUT SKYY SPIRITS, LLC
Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) and is the eighth-largest spirits company in the US. Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón™ Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM, Hibiki® Whisky and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.
Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com, www.facebook.com/skyyspirits, Twitter: SkyySpirits and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.
Press Release Courtesy of Skyyspirits.com
