Bowmore's new whisky tastes like charred mango, says the distillery

Friday, 21 August 2026 at 09:07

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Bowmore has pulled two rather special whiskies from its warehouses. The Islay distillery is launching the new Captivo Collection, bottling two 20-year-old single malts. And it’s not just about what’s in the bottle: Bowmore teamed up with famed New York design studio Snarkitecture for the packaging.

The collection consists of the Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage and the Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit. Both whiskies are twenty years old, but they’ve had completely different cask treatments and, as a result, distinctly different flavor profiles.

Bowmore whisky matured 20 years in bourbon casks

The first whisky in the collection is Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage. This single malt matured for twenty years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, followed by a finish in American oak Oloroso sherry butts.

According to Bowmore, expect notes of dark cherries, candied orange, and manuka honey, joined by roasted oak and a striking hint of eucalyptus. The finish is said to bring vanilla to the fore, alongside a subtle touch of campfire smoke.

The whisky is bottled at 50.8% ABV with an price tag of 360 euros. Oak Voyage will launch at Harrods in the UK from 1 September, before rolling out to the United States, Asia, Canada, and Northern Europe.

Second Bowmore leans into sherry influence

Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit takes a different path. This twenty-year-old Bowmore matured in both Spanish oak Oloroso sherry casks and American ex-bourbon casks, then received a finishing period in an Oloroso sherry hogshead.

That combination should deliver tropical fruit and black pepper, rounded out by gentle oak and smoked toffee. In the long finish, Bowmore highlights sweet peat smoke and even charred mango.

At 51.8% ABV, this whisky is slightly stronger than Oak Voyage. The recommended price is 380 dollars or 320 British pounds. There is one catch for those eager to get it: Sherry Cask Pursuit will be released later this year as an exclusive for selected stores in global travel retail.

How do the new Bowmore Captivo Range whiskies taste?

Below are the tasting notes for both whiskies:

Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage

Nose: Dark cherries, candied orange, manuka honey, and roasted oak, with a fresh hint of eucalyptus.
Palate: Rich and sweet, with dark fruit, citrus, honey, and spiced oak.
Finish: Long and supple, with vanilla and a subtle touch of campfire smoke.

Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit

Nose: Tropical fruit, black pepper, and gentle oak.
Palate: Full-bodied and spicy, with tropical fruit, smoked toffee, and pronounced sherry influence.
Finish: Long and smoky, with sweet peat smoke and a distinctive hint of charred mango.

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Striking design for the new Bowmore whiskies

For the packaging, Bowmore partnered with Snarkitecture. Co-founder Alex Mustonen traveled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the landscape and the famed Bowmore No.1 Vaults.

The result is packaging centered around a kind of visual portal, designed to draw the drinker ever deeper into Bowmore’s world.

If you don’t want to wait until September, there’s another option. Since the official unveiling, both whiskies have also been available directly through Bowmore.

FAQ

What is the Bowmore Captivo Collection?
The Captivo Collection consists of two 20-year-old Bowmore single malts: Oak Voyage and Sherry Cask Pursuit. Each underwent different cask maturation, resulting in clearly distinct flavor profiles.
How much do the new Bowmore whiskies cost?
Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage has a recommended price of around 360 euros. Sherry Cask Pursuit costs about 320 British pounds or 380 dollars.
Where can you buy the Bowmore Captivo whiskies?
Oak Voyage will be available at Harrods and later in various international markets. Sherry Cask Pursuit will be released through selected stores in global travel retail.