queenscask

THE QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE 2002

In August 1980, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Bowmore Distillery on the southern Hebridean Island of Islay, the first whisky distillery Her Majesty had ever visited. To mark this unique occasion Bowmore Distillery filled on that day, a special cask and named it the ‘Queen's Cask’.

For over 21 years the cask slept silently in the famous No.1 Vaults at Bowmore Distillery, proudly displayed in a specially constructed visitor viewing area. After discussion with Buckingham Palace it was agreed that it should be bottled in celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, thereby marking two significant occasions within the lifetime of this particular single malt whisky.

1980 DISTILLATION - 21 years old - 51.1%vol.

1980 QUEEN'S CASK

This unique cask produced 648 bottles. Each bottle was hand-filled at the distillery, individually numbered and packaged in presentation boxes designed around the official Golden Jubilee colours.

Unlike previous limited editions from the Bowmore Distillery, the bottles are not available for retail. Her Majesty The Queen will be presented with the entire consignment, to use as gifts to visiting foreign dignitaries and official guests at Buckingham Palace. Importantly a chosen number will be released through appropriate auction houses and selected Royal events to raise money for Her Majesty The Queen’s nominated Golden Jubilee charities.

The Palace has kindly granted that one bottle be permanently displayed at Bowmore Distillery and that a further bottle can be auctioned for Morrison Bowmore Distillers' chosen charity which is the Children's Hospice Association Scotland.

Without doubt the Queen's Cask Bowmore bottling is an exceptionally rare piece of whisky distilling history and has unique Royal provenance. Not only was the spirit laid down to commemorate The Queen's landmark visit to Bowmore Distillery but it has now been chosen by the Palace to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee 21 years later.

Tasting Note

Full & mellow. On nosing, one may find rich dark chocolate with hints of liquorice and sherry. One is also reminded of wonderful aromas of mountain pine trees. The palate is rewarded with Madeira richness and sweet toffee overtones. The finish is long and fruity.