Bowmore launches a devilish new single malt

The Bowmore distillery on Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, has launched The Devil’s Casks – a single malt Scotch whisky that has been matured exclusively - and unusually - for 10 years in first fill sherry casks. 

This non chill-filtered, small batch release has been created to celebrate one of Islay’s most famous tales - a story shrouded in myth and legend -  that the Devil himself was spotted in the round church of Bowmore and chased by local congregation down into the No. 1 vaults at the Bowmore distillery. Here, as the warehousemen were filling casks and loading them aboard the paddle steamer (The Maid of Islay) the devil was lost.  It is believed he escaped in a cask of Bowmore bound for the mainland.

Six thousand bottles of The Devil’s Casks will be released in October, just in time for Halloween

The devil is in the detail when it comes to the packaging. A deep red box tells the story of the legend alongside smoke illustrations and a Devil’s pitchfork.

Bowmore’s master of malts Iain McCallum says: “Ten year’s maturation in first fill sherry casks has brought out Bowmore’s fiery characteristics. The notes in this dram are hot and seductive. This small batch release is quite simply, devilishly good!”

Five hundred and forty 56.9% abv bottles of the Devil’s Casks have been released in the UK with an RRP of £50.99.

13 September 2013 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor