Bowmore 33 Year Old The Changeling Frank Quitely Limited Edition (2022) (1 of 667 bottles) Islay Single Malt Whisky 70cl
One of 667 bottles made! Very hard to find.
Minor Damage to box reflected in price. Damage is to small cardboard section on top case handle. Does not affect the product.
Introducing Bowmore 33 Year Old (The Changeling), an extraordinary single malt whisky that will transport you to the mystical and enchanting world of Islay. This captivating creation is the result of a unique collaboration between artist Frank Quitely and master blender Ron Welsh, who have seamlessly blended artistry and craftsmanship to create a whisky that is truly exceptional.
The Changeling is the second instalment in the Frank Quitely series, a collection that aims to capture the essence of Bowmore's native Islay island. Inspired by the ancient folktale of a blacksmith who saved his son from the clutches of the "Fairy Folk," this whisky not only tantalizes the taste buds but also tells a captivating story.
Aged for an impressive 22 and 33 years, The Changeling boasts a complex and rich flavour profile that will leave you mesmerized. The aging process begins in American oak hogsheads before a final two-year maturation in white port and tawny port casks. This meticulous finishing imparts a delightful depth and richness to the whisky, taking it to new heights of indulgence.
What a beautiful piece of artwork with a drinkable whisky.
Beginning its 31½ years in cask, the spirit was nurtured by american oak hogsheads, to create the signature style of Bowmore. Much like the blacksmiths’ son, this was then transformed after maturing in more than just one cask type. Eighteen months of further aging followed in tawny port casks, a rich style of maturation known for its stewed fruit and spice notes.
DARK AND INTENSE
This finessing created a distinctive and powerful character alluding to, and conjuring up, a sensory exploration of this mythical tale.
On the Nose: Meadow flowers, peaches, plums and
Tasting Notes
Nose : Unexpectedly colourful and flowery. Think of Turkish Delight, rose water, and potpourri as you experience its extreme lightness and perfume-like pungency. Despite its age, there are a few little wood notes behind the floral cloud, along with some sandalwood and even some new oak odours.
Palate : With the ABV and oak spice, the strong perfume note that initially appears on the lips truly zips across the tongue and fills the mouth with a flowery sherbet sweetness that strongly reminds one of parma violets. Lavender, sugar, and heat make it up. They are accompanied by bitter clove and/or anise spices, as well as citrus fruits (pineapple, guava, and clementine).
Finish : A final sweet nutty smell that makes me think of marzipan lingers after the perfume/sherbet note has faded away.
About Bowmore
Bowmore is located in the centre of Islay and occupies a central role in the island’s whiskies. The distillery has retained its own floor maltings which account for 40% of its needs and when mixed with malt from the mainland results in a medium peated spirit.
Its smoke, reminiscent of beach bonfires, mingles with a distinctly saline note, flowers, cereal, citrus and underneath a touch of tropical fruit. It is this character which, when matured in refill casks for a long period of time, becomes the primary aroma, the peat seemingly disappearing completely.
A significant percentage of the make is aged in ex-Sherry butts which take Bowmore off in another direction – one of dark fruits, chocolate, coffee, citrus and smoke. The extensive range picks and chooses between these extremes. A significant percentage of the distillery’s whisky is matured on the island, with the distillery’s No.1 Vaults being held to have the most extraordinary microclimate. This chill, damp environment – the vault is below the level of Loch Indaal and one wall makes up the town’s sea wall – is seen as ideal for long-term maturation.
There are claims that Bowmore’s distillery started operation in 1779, but there’s no evidence of whisky being made until a certain John Simpson took out a licence in 1816. It wouldn’t be until 1837 when the Glasgow blending firm, Wm & Jas. Mutter took over that it began to gain traction and reputation. In 1841, Windsor Castle requested a cask of Bowmore – this being a time when the English palate was considered too delicate (or Scotch too bold). As often happens, the distillery passed through a number of hands before in this case it was bought, in 1963, by broker Stanley P. Morrison. The Morrison era saw the start of what is recognised as a legendary period in Bowmore’s history – its mid-1960s bottlings are legendary.
The distillery was substantially modernised with an innovative heat recovery system not only cutting down on fuel bills but creating sufficient excess hot water to heat the town’s swimming pool. In 1989 the Japanese distiller Suntory bought a stake in the distillery and took full control in 1994, the year after the ground-breaking Black Bowmore was launched. This 100% Sherry-aged release was sold for what at the time was seen as the ludicrously inflated price of £100.
In 2014 Suntory bought Jim Beam which, from an Islay perspective, sees two of Islay’s most iconic single malts (Bowmore and Laphroaig) under the same ownership.
48.7% ABV
70cl
