Bowmore distillery deep dive. What's changed since the early 2000's ?

The Islay stalwart has stood for over 200 years, where to next?

Founded in 1779 the Bowmore distillery plays a pivotal role in the islands history but is also a wonderful mid point in the span of Islay whiskies. As a medium peated single malt, Bowmore's range of flavours are wide yet tightly bundled, making a wonderful base spirit for Sherry cask maturation and Bourbon cask alike. Aromas of fruit salad, all the way through to smoked meats and flavours of salted caramel can be found in this highly coveted single malt whisky. 

Under the full ownership of Suntory since 1994 production has changed in small but necessary ways but what has evolved the most is cask choice. With enviable levels of demand throughout the 2010's and early 2020's, maturation regimes across the industry pivoted to keep up, turning to bold flavours and quick results. With a strong legacy of tradition to uphold, Bowmore's whisky makers are carefully putting tradition and modernity together. 

In this special deep dive event, Julian White, along with Kevin Griffin of Suntory Australia will walk us through Bowmore distilleries recent updates and future plans for keeping traditional flavours as the key priority for this iconic whisky brands in all of Scotland. 

On Tasting:

• Cocktail on arrival — Bowmore 12 year old highball
• 15ml x Bowmore 12 year old ex-Bourbon and European oak Oloroso sherry casks 40%
• 15ml x Bowmore 15 year old Oloroso sherry casks 43%
• 15ml x Bowmore Feis Ile 2013 bottling. Bourbon casks 56.5%
• 15ml x Bowmore 18 year old ex-Bourbon and European oak Oloroso sherry casks 43%
• 15ml x Bowmore 21 year old Oloroso Sherry casks 46.8%
• 15ml x Bowmore 19 year old Feis Ile 2024 Double matured in Virgin American Oak 54.8%

When? Where?

Thursday 3rd of September 2026

Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7pm start

Upstairs, Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell Street, Melbourne 

Want to sit with your friends?

Please indicate in the comments if you would like to be seated with anyone in particular. 

Changes & Cancellations

Please refer to the FAQ's page on our website for full details about change of date and cancellations.

Change of date is available with a minimum of 7 days notice. 

No cancellations or refunds for any product. Tickets can be gifted to friends or family without notifying the venue.

Disabled Access

Disabled Access is available on the ground level, but is not available for our tasting room. Please contact us before booking and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Other T&C's

All participants must be over the legal age of 18 years in order to participate and consume alcohol.

We reserve the right to refuse service without refund, to any persons displaying intoxicated or inappropriate behaviour.

Photography and videography - By purchasing a ticket to an event, you acknowledge that the event may be filmed or photographed and give consent for the film or photographs to be published on any platform by Whisky and Alement or by any other entity used for promotion. Films and photographs may be used occasionally for other marketing purposes.