Bowmore 30 Years Old
Sea Dragon
Winning Bid
£910
RESERVE MET
Bowmore 30 Years Old
Sea Dragon
Lot #0301338
FINISH DATE
31 May 2016
From Bowmore, a 30 year old single malt whisky encased in a beautiful black ceramic bottle, presented in a red silk lined black box featuring 'The Sea Dragon'.
Legend has it that the greatest Scottish warrior of all, Fionn mac Cumhaill - also known as Fingal - was walking across Islay with his two massive hounds: Bran & Sceolang.
Fionn, who was possessed of supernatural powers and superhuman strength, hoist one of the standing stones at Ardbeg and threw it half-way across island - into the depths of Loch Indaal - for his dogs to fetch back. The splash made by the stone stirred the dark sands at the bottom of the Loch, and with them stirred from his thousand year sleep the sleeping form of the sea-dragon Kranna Dudh.
Kranna surged up from thd depths and swam to the shore at Bowmore to meet with Fionn in combat. A fierce battle ensured, ending with Kranna lurching back to the Loch, mortally wounded by Fionn's magical sword, Mac a' Luin, his dark blood seeping into the waters.
To this day, the sea-dragon's image appears on the Bowmore label. And it is said when the sun sets, Loch Indaal turns red with his blood - and that local mothers scold their children severely, if ever they catch them pitching stones into the Loch.
Bowmore
If we go by official dates, Bowmore is Islay’s oldest distillery in operation today, kicking off in 1779. Set in a spectacular location, along the coastline from the village of the same name. Bowmore had a mighty reputation founded on some classic whiskies from the 1960s. These have been released in a series of special editions and thankfully the current distillate is excellent. Somehow, Bowmore mixes the peat of Islay with a coastal vibe that is underpinned by a wonderful fruitiness. Shrouded in history, it also arguably has Scotland’s most famous and atmospheric warehouse in the Vault No.1. Stepping into this and walking through the maturing casks, while the ocean crashes against the outer wall, is well worth the price of admission.
Lot Features
Region
Scotland, Islay