Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish Review: Yogurt Fruit Gums Followed By Charred Oak And Campfire

Saturday, 26 July 2025 at 15:02

Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish Whisky Review

Just beyond airport customs, you can sometimes find the most exceptional whiskies. Among them is Bowmore’s 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish, a Travel Retail exclusive that merges French wine influence with the iconic smokiness of Islay. But how does it taste and is it worth tracking down? This review explores everything you need to know.

While the shelves at liquor stores are abundantly stocked with the most delicious whiskies, you sometimes have to travel for some notable bottles. We're talking about Travel Retail whiskies.

These whiskies are often reserved for people with a ticket to a far-off destination, a passport, and a bit of room in their suitcase. This is how Bowmore introduced at the end of 2024 the Appelations Collection, four bottles with a finish in a specific wine barrel.

What whiskies are in the Bowmore Appelations Collection?

Here are the bottles in the Bowmore Appelations Collection:

Bowmore Appellations 14 Year Old Bordeaux Finish

Bowmore Appellations 16 Year Old Ruby Port Finish

Bowmore Appellations 19 Year Old Pinot Noir Cask Finish

Bowmore Appellations 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish

Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish Whisky Review in the Whisky Monkeys Studio including box and stopper close up

The bottle's cork is black, featuring the year Bowmore was founded

The Islay whisky with French influence

The Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish begins with 12 years of maturation in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels before a final two-year finish in French Bordeaux barriques.

This secondary maturation lends the whisky a deeper hue, described by the distillery as 'Claret', a traditional British term for Bordeaux wine. The result is an Islay single malt with added fruit depth and complexity.

See, Smell, Taste

Country:	Scotland
Brand	Bowmore
Type of whisky	Single Malt
Color:	Claret
Scent	Black forest gateaux, ripe cherries, pine nuts and sea salt
Flavor:	Salty, dry and spicy, with notes of orchard fruits
Finish	Raspberries, cherries and strawberries with notes of bitter chocolate
Age:	14 years
Alcohol percentage:	43 percent alcohol by volume (ABV)
Bottle volume:	70 centiliters
Price	Approximately 65 euros

Colorful and stylish

Presentation matters, and Bowmore delivers. The Appellations Collection packaging features vivid red and blue accents against a traditional box design. Key details like age, ABV, and story appear on the front and back, while the bottle itself retains Bowmore’s classic silhouette with a colorful label that stands out in any whisky cabinet.

Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish Whisky Review in the Whisky Monkeys Studio including box Close up

The box and label are colorful and accentuate the whisky nicely

France meets Islay

The chestnut-colored whisky has a beautifully deep color. Upon pouring, the whisky does not immediately release its aromas, but after a little breathing, striking notes rise from the glass. A mix of warm caramel, vanilla, and tobacco leaves first stimulate the nostrils.

This is followed by a fruitier aroma of dark berries, red cherries, a touch of pepper, peat smoke and some salty notes.

The Islay character of Bowmore is not suppressed by the French barrels, but is rather refined and softened with notes of sweet fruit and some spices.

A mini discovery journey

On the first sip, it's noticeable that the Islay whisky is not as drying as the tasting notes suggest. In fact, the whisky is quite creamy. The progression of the whisky's taste is the same as its smell: first, there are all kinds of Bordeaux influences, and only after that, you get Islay on your tongue.

Think notes of ripe berries with honey, blackberries, and yoghurt-fruit gums. These are closely followed by burnt oak, which is quickly replaced by campfire with influences of melted chocolate.

The buildup of the whisky's flavors makes it perfectly suited for people who want to get to know smoky whisky. It's not a overly complex whisky, but more of a mini discovery journey from France to Islay.

Towards the finish, Islay increasingly makes its presence felt, while the fruity notes from the French wine barrels recede. At this point, the whisky also leaves a somewhat drier mouthfeel on the tongue. The spiciness of the whisky lasts until the end.

Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish Whisky Review in the Whisky Monkeys Studio including faded box

The Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish is accessible for people wanting to discover smoky whisky

Conclusion Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish Review

The Bowmore 14 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish whisky is a pleasant whisky for both lovers of Islay and people who want to discover smoke. It's a whisky that doesn't exactly keep you entertained for long with each sip, but still makes you pause with each sip. If you do that, there are plenty of notes to discover, from fruit to smoke. For less than 70 euros, you get a very nice travel exclusive with this Bowmore.

+ Fruit, salt, and smoke are nicely balanced

+ Accessible for people wanting to discover smoke

+ A 14-year-old single malt whisky for a reasonable price

- Limited availability (although you can also temporarily find the whisky in online shops now)