Beam Suntory and World Duty Free have announced the release of a limited edition Bowmore® 1997, a single-cask, 20-year-old expression of which just 198 bottles will be available exclusively in World Duty Free’s “World of Whiskies” stores in Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 from 7 December 2018.

This unique liquid from the home of the legendary No.1 Vaults, the oldest maturation warehouse in the world, has spent 20 years maturing in a single sherry cask, developing deep layers of flavour.

Bowmore® 1997 offers a rich nose with notes of malty biscuit, dried flowers and a hint if white pepper alongside buttery toffee, freshly roasted coffee and vanilla sponge cake. On the palate, flavours develop into sweet peat with burnt wood and light barbecue ash notes alongside lemon zest. Gentle vanilla and dried wood complement the peated malt character, with a sweet and smoky finish and lingering herbal and floral notes.

Just 198 numbered bottles of Bowmore 1997 will be available to global travellers exclusively from Heathrow T2, T3, T4 & T5 in World Duty Free’s “World of Whiskies” stores, at an RRP of £295.

The expression will be launched on 7 December, when Bowmore® Distillery Manager, David Turner, will be in the World of Whiskies stores in Heathrow T2 and T5 to sign bottles of this limited release. Along with overseeing the day-to-day running of the distillery, David acts as guardian of the precious whiskies that lay maturing in the legendary No.1 Vaults. Using a portfolio of skills developed over his 25-year career at Bowmore®, David carefully hand-selects casks for maturation, keeping a watchful eye on the ageing spirits to determine exactly the right time to bottle the liquid gold inside.

Speaking about the expression, Ed Stening, Global Marketing Director of Beam Suntory Global Travel Retail, says: “Bowmore is a Single Malt with an incredibly rich history rooted in our legendary No.1 Vaults, which has shaped the distinctive character of whiskies made here for over 200 years. As a brand, Bowmore is growing fast in Travel Retail and is very popular with travellers looking to take home a slice of this history and character. We are very excited to be working with Dufry, a long-term supporter of Bowmore, to offer this unique and brilliant single cask expression to their discerning, passionate customers.”

Matthew Scott-Fairweather, Liquor Product and Promotions Manager UK and Central Europe of Dufry adds: “We’re thrilled to be working with Beam Suntory to offer this exceptional whisky from Bowmore exclusively to our customers. We are confident that this will become an instant collector’s edition.”