Bowmore · Islay
Bowmore 12 Year Old
Bowmore 12 Year Old is a single malt from Islay, Scotland, bottled at 40% ABV with a 12-year age statement. Sea salt, lemon and gentle smoke over sherried fruit. The most balanced entry-level Islay.
Compiled by WhiskeyCask Editorial · Last verified 2026-07-30 · specs pending producer confirmation
Flavour profile
Broadly smoky, sweet, full-bodied.
View as table
| Axis | Bowmore 12 Year Old |
|---|---|
| Peaty | 6 |
| Sweet | 6 |
| Fruity | 5 |
| Spicy | 4 |
| Woody | 5 |
| Sherried | 5 |
| Cereal | 5 |
| Oily | 6 |
Where it sits in our record
Of the 32 bottles here we can cost per litre of pure alcohol, Bowmore 12 Year Old is the 16th cheapest, at £136.
Within the 35 bottles on record it is one of 16 single malt entries and one of 7 from Islay.
What it's good for
- peat curious
- all-rounder
Worth knowing
Bowmore is precise about wood and silent on strength — its page specifies hand-selected ex-bourbon and Oloroso casks while stating no ABV anywhere. Not to be confused with the separate Bowmore 12 Sherry Oak Cask SKU.
If you like this, try
Nearest matches by flavour vector across our own eight-axis scoring — not by brand or price.
Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour
40% ABV · 12 years · £42
Less peaty: 4 against 6 here
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old
40% ABV · 12 years · £30
Less peaty: 4 against 6 here
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
40% ABV · No age statement · £149
Less peaty: 3 against 6 here
Ardbeg Uigeadail
54.2% ABV · No age statement · £60
More peaty: 9 against 6 here
Compare Bowmore 12 Year Old with Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour →