SMWS code 3 is Bowmore, in the Islay region. It is an operating distillery, founded in 1779. Any Society bottling numbered 3.x (for example 3.1, 3.42) is a single cask from Bowmore.
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On the shore of Loch Indaal, in Islay's whitewashed little capital, Bowmore has turned barley into spirit since 1779, the island's oldest recorded distillery. Descend into its No.1 Vaults, a legendary warehouse dug below the tideline, and you can hear the sea working against the walls where the casks sleep. The whisky is a study in balance: a gentle coil of Islay smoke laid over a deep, exotic sweetness that in older bottlings blooms into mango and passion fruit. Owned by Beam Suntory.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottles single casks under numeric codes rather than distillery names, so a label reading 3.403 means cask 403 from distillery 3. That distillery is Bowmore, in Islay. More on Bowmore at Wikipedia.
The 12 most recent, newest first. See all 23 →
Sold outMay 2026In short · Bowmore (Islay), 21 years.
“This had such an unbelievably seductive, sweet smoke that we all fell under a kind of spell.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outDec 2025In short · Bowmore (Islay), 21 years.
“Our Whisky Wonders are a selection of member-favourite distilleries, rare drops and legacy sips.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outNov 2025In short · Bowmore (Islay), 20 years.
“We all agreed this was yet another totally stunning example of this famous Islay distillery.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outOct 2025In short · Bowmore (Islay), 21 years.
“Wild and unruly – like a Hebridean punishment turned flavour bomb.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outJan 2025In short · Bowmore (Islay), 20 years.
“The Creators Collection brings liquid storytelling to life with rare, aged whiskies curated to create the ultimate whisky flights.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outJun 2024In short · Bowmore (Islay), 20 years.
“In the shade of the pier a heather honey-glazed lobster sizzled on the barbecue.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outDec 2023In short · Bowmore (Islay), 19 years.
“The primary impression upon initial nosing was of outdoor swimming pools by the sea, perhaps ones full of star anise, with a tang of camphor and menthol ointment and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outJan 2023In short · Bowmore (Islay), 18 years.
“A fragrant filigree fumée, as one can find in perfumes as a top note: the burning scent from the Bursera graveolens tree that grows in South America and nicknamed palo…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outOct 2022In short · Bowmore (Islay), 18 years.
“Limited to 1 bottle per member We jived all night among sweet perfumes on a polished jazz joint dancefloor; then gratefully enjoyed lavender-scented foot rubs and rose…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outApr 2022In short · Bowmore (Islay), 17 years.
“Limited to 1 bottle per member We imagined walking upstairs to the bar of this distillery overlooking Lochindaal and the exotic, fruity, sweet and slightly smoky scent…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outMar 2022In short · Bowmore (Islay), 17 years.
“Limited to 1 bottle per member Imagine roasting butterfly Tiger prawns in a garlic ginger soy sauce on the beach enjoying the mirror like reflections of white fluffy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outJan 2022In short · Bowmore (Islay), 17 years.
“Limited to 1 bottle per member We paddled a day on the Demerara which cuts a silvery path across the lush green landscape as we sat by the riverside in late evening…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Other Islay distilleries: 10 Bunnahabhain, 23 Bruichladdich, 29 Laphroaig, 33 Ardbeg, 43 Port Ellen, 53 Caol Ila, 111 Lagavulin, 127 Bruichladdich (Port Charlotte), 129 Kilchoman · all Islay codes
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