Review: Bowmore x Aston Martin 18 Years Old

Our slow march through Bowmore’s travel retail, Aston Martin-inspired selections continues. As a reminder, these hit airport duty free shops in 2021 as 10-year, 15-year, and 18-year bottlings under the Bowmore x Aston Martin label. They mirror the existing travel retail line in age but are drawn from special cask selections, each commemorating a specific car model important to the British automaker’s storied automotive history.

This 18-year expression is the oldest in the lineup, drawn from a mix of “the finest” Pedro Ximenez and oloroso sherry casks. The packaging highlights the 2003 launch of Aston Martin’s DB9 model, which, according to the press release, was “one of the most standout Aston Martin innovations of all time, showcasing a complexity of engineering with the perfect balance of 50/50 weight distribution front to rear.” Is this Bowmore single malt equally balanced? Let’s find out.

The aroma is surprisingly assertive at this modest proof and showing a well-structured sherry influence. Sultry notes of Medjool dates, wood oil, and marzipan freely spill out of the glass. As things open more, burnt sugar and dark chocolate-covered raisin add a darker, gently smoky sweetness. The palate is impressively full-figured with a soft but still oily texture that coats the tongue in cocoa powder, dark berry jam, and dark roast coffee before things turn brighter on the midpalate with a bit of flamed orange peel and honey syrup. The finish is generous, showcasing a soft, flinty peat smoke and creamy, gianduja chocolate. Like the 10-year, it’s another impressive value for a single malt of this age and quality.

86 proof.

A- / $145 / bowmore.com

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