Bowmore The Devil's Casks Small Batch - 10 Year Old

On a clear winter’s evening in 1837, the Devil visited Kilkarrow Parish Church. Better known as The Round Church, it stands at the head of Bowmore village’s sloping Main Street, gazing protectively out towards its harbour.

Built in 1767, the church is constructed around a single oak pillar with eight radiating beams supporting its roof – a singular design that leaves it entirely without corners. Nowhere for the Devil to hide.

Panicked, the Devil fled, the kirk’s congregation in hot pursuit. The helter-skelter chase tore down Main Street and through the black iron gates of Bowmore Distillery. There he vanished. The gates were locked behind him; the stillhouse, the mash room, the cool, musty warehouse, all were searched; no sign could be found. Later that night, the paddle steamer Maid of Islay set sail for the mainland. Its cargo: Bowmore whisky.

Had the cunning Devil made his escape in a cask of Bowmore? So the legend tells us.

The Whisky Shop is delighted to help Bowmore continue the story with The Devil’s Casks, an exclusive revival of the much-loved series inspired by the tall tale.

First released over a decade ago, the original Devil’s Casks explored the darker side of Bowmore with full sherry cask maturation. The Devil’s Casks 10 Year Old revisits that unmistakable, intensified character, taking after the third of the original releases, Double the Devil, with its PX cask finish. Dark in colour and diabolically deep in flavour, it’s bold, expressive and unmistakably Bowmore.

A small batch release, the Devil’s Casks 10 Year Old is matured in first-fill oloroso sherry casks with a Pedro Ximénez cask finish and presented at cask strength, 56.6% abv, without artificial colour or chill filtration. Available exclusively from The Whisky Shop.

Bowmore’s gentle smoke is very much on the back foot here, partially obscured by the rich influence of the sherry casks, and the whisky is deceptively soft despite its high alcoholic strength; a few drops of water turn down the heat without breaking its devilish spell.

Dark fruits and moist fruitcake on the nose, followed by warming leather and a waft of ripe apples, with hints of maple syrup and peat adding depth. The bold palate layers rich fruitcake, treacle toffee and dark chocolate with soft smoke, tobacco, and a touch of bittersweet angelica root. Lingering dark fruit, baking spice, and a gentle kiss of smoke warm the long, full finish.