Bowmore

The name of the Bowmore Distillery is first committed to record. Oldest distillery on Islay, and Scotland's second, though local archivists suggest distilling began in Bowmore almost ten years earlier. Just as the craft of whisky making at Bowmore has been passed down by successive generations of distillers, blenders and maltmen, so the Distillery's owners have each shaped its remarkable history. Entrepreneur David Simson acquired a lease on the land in 1766. And so the Bowmore legend began. His investments included the new water supply, from the river Laggan. William and James Mutter considerably expanded the distillery, transforming it from a small artisan operation to a thriving commercial distillery. Many production techniques they introduced are still used today. John Bell Sherriff of Campbelltown purchased the distillery for 20,000 pounds, and it became the Bowmore Distillery Company. In an unexpected turn of events it entered administration just three years later. For almost three decades the distillery was owned by an eclectic group of four investors. Over this period the island witnessed hard economic times, with soup kitchens operated at Bowmore. In 1925 the resurgent Sherriff family re-purchased the distillery. For fifteen years they ran it as a successful business, before production was halted in 1940 due to the war. With the distillery commandeered by the RAF to assist with the Allies' war effort, production of Bowmore whisky comes to a halt. From 1940-1943 three squadrons operated from the distillery. While under the guardianship of the Morrison family, the legend of the Seadragon begins to emerge as a central pillar in Bowmore's storied history. Queen Elizabeth II selects Bowmore for her first ever visit to a Scotch whisky distillery, adding a further chapter to our rich and storied history. She was presented with her own cask, bottles from which were later sold to raise money for local charities. The first of five releases in the Black Bowmore collection is unveiled. To many this remains the most celebrated of Bowmore's rare whiskies collections. All five were distilled in the new floor maltings almost three decades earlier. Another remarkable first. For three years in succession the Bowmore Distillery is honoured with a coveted Queen's Excellence Award. A feat that remains unmatched by any other distillery, and which is proudly recorded on the three cask ends. Bowmore announces The 1957 expression, the oldest Islay single malt ever released. 54 years in the making, just 12 bottles exist throughout the world. Another chapter is written in the No.1 Vaults legendary story.

Quoted from bowmore.com, in Bowmore's own words. We have not edited it and we do not vouch for it.