Review: Bowmore x Aston Martin 10 Years Old

Chris recently covered Masters’ Selection 22 Years Old, the latest limited edition Bowmore single malt released in partnership with Aston Martin. The Islay whisky maker has collaborated with the famous British automaker since 2021 when they introduced a trio of expressions exclusively for travel retail. The 10-year, 15-year, and 18-year bottlings released under the Bowmore x Aston Martin label mirror the existing travel retail line in age but are pulled from special cask selections with each celebrating a specific car model important in Aston Martin’s impressive automotive history. The entry 10-year-old expression, which we’ll be looking at today, was reportedly drawn from a mix of sherry casks and hogsheads. Its packaging commemorates the LM10, Aston Martin’s factory team car that first raced at Le Mans in 1932. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

Only a decade old and bottled at the bare minimum proof, this is still quite an impressive single malt. The aroma is surprisingly lively and complex with a depth of character typically reserved for older Bowmore expressions. It showcases thick layers of orange marmalade, grilled peaches, and a gentle, ashy peat smoke while a delicate salinity adds a pleasingly salty edge. As it opens, the fruit notes build, adding pineapple and guava all caramelized over a mesquite barbecue. The palate is lighter and a little more sedate, but there’s still plenty to admire. Dried citrus, marzipan, and torched sugar give way to BBQ burnt ends and a raisin-like sweetness, dark and slightly tart. A gentle smoky spice arrives with the finish, giving things an unexpected lift and longevity with lingering notes of candied pineapple and fig jam on burnt toast. Proof that age doesn’t always count for much. And a real bargain for a single malt of this quality. Where’s my passport?

80 proof.

A- / $60 / bowmore.com

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