The Stillhouse
Simply speaking, distillation is the process of heating liquid wash until it boils, capturing and cooling the resultant hot vapours and then collecting the condensed liquid alcohol. Bowmore has two large Wash Stills and two smaller Spirit Stills. After double distillation, the 'Middle Cut' is collected for filling into cask.
- Alcoholic vapour passes up over the neck of the still, along the lyne arm, into the condenser where it's condensed into liquid alcohol.
- Everything that comes from the stills must pass through the Spirit Safe, where we collect the Middle Cut or 'heart of the run'.
- The New Make Spirit, which is clear like water, has an average strength of 69% ABV.
- Purified water is used to reduce the strength to 63.5% ABV.
Your Guide is
Eddie
Distillery Manager
Eddie began his days at Bowmore in July 1966 working in the warehouses. He then moved to the Maltbarns gradually working throughout the distillery before earning his title as Manager in 2006.
Visit our island
While our virtual tour gives a flavour of what to expect, there's really no substitute for visiting Islay in person and experiencing the unique atmosphere inside Bowmore's legendary No. 1 Vaults for yourself. Our essential guide will start you on your way.
