{"product_id":"bowmore-1988-21-year-port-cask-islay-single-malt-scotch","title":"Bowmore 1988 21 Year Port Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Bowmore 1988 21 Year Port Cask Matured is an exceptional Islay single malt Scotch whisky bottled at natural cask strength of 51.5% ABV, representing over two decades of patient aging in specially hand-selected port pipes from a private collection. This limited release showcases the marriage of Bowmore's signature maritime character with the rich, vinous influence of premium Portuguese port casks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Scotland's oldest Islay distillery, established in 1779, Bowmore has long been revered for its perfect balance of peat smoke and coastal elegance. The distillery's unique position on the shores of Loch Indaal, combined with their traditional floor maltings and careful cask selection, creates whiskies of remarkable complexity and character that speak to centuries of island craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich dark fruits, maritime brine, gentle peat smoke, chocolate-covered cherries, vintage leather\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Candied plums, sea salt caramel, warming spices, toasted oak, dried figs, subtle medicinal peat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warming with port wine sweetness, lingering smoke, dark chocolate, and coastal minerals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpirit Type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIslay Single Malt Scotch Whisky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eABV\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e51.5%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVolume\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e21 Years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDistillery\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBowmore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRegion\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIslay, Scotland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBarrel Type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePort Cask\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRelease Year\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1988\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eProduction\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural Cask Strength, Non Chill Filtered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContemplative Evening Sips:\u003c\/strong\u003e Savoring neat in a Glencairn glass by the fireplace\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Celebrations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Marking milestone occasions with this rare vintage expression\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhisky Collector Moments:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adding a distinguished Islay vintage to serious collections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter-Dinner Luxury:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pairing with dark chocolate or aged cheese\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does Bowmore 1988 21 Year Port Cask taste like?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis whisky offers a complex interplay of Islay's signature maritime smoke with rich port wine influences. You'll discover dark fruits like plums and cherries, balanced by sea salt, gentle peat, and warming spices, all culminating in a long, warming finish with chocolate and coastal minerals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eShould I drink Bowmore 1988 Port Cask neat or with water?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 51.5% ABV natural cask strength, this whisky benefits from careful consideration of your palate preference. Many enthusiasts prefer it neat to experience the full intensity, while adding a few drops of water can open up additional fruit and spice notes without diminishing the port cask character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does port cask maturation affect Bowmore's character?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePort cask aging adds layers of dark fruit sweetness, wine-like complexity, and rich tannins that complement rather than mask Bowmore's coastal peat character. The result is a more rounded, luxurious expression that maintains the distillery's maritime essence while gaining dessert-like qualities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this Bowmore 1988 a good investment whisky?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis limited release 1988 vintage represents excellent collectible potential, combining Bowmore's prestigious reputation, substantial 21-year aging, unique port cask maturation, and natural cask strength bottling. Older Islay expressions from respected distilleries typically appreciate over time, especially when sourced from private collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes this different from other Bowmore releases?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis expression stands apart through its 1988 distillation date, extended 21-year aging exclusively in hand-selected port pipes, natural cask strength bottling, and non-chill filtered presentation. Unlike Bowmore's core range, this offers a unique glimpse into how their house style evolves with premium wine cask influence over two decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou must be 21 years of age or older to purchase this product.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bowmore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43345396564042,"sku":"B198821YPCISMS","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/6095\/7258\/files\/front_2bb840bd-7bf0-4945-b6f7-538ad1799810.jpg?v=1772168861","url":"https:\/\/theoldrickhouse.com\/products\/bowmore-1988-21-year-port-cask-islay-single-malt-scotch","provider":"The Old Rickhouse","version":"1.0","type":"link"}