Islay distilleries Bowmore and Bunnahabhain announce new whisky releases

Islay-based distilleries Bowmore and Bunnahabhain have announced new product releases. Bowmore has partnered with the New York-based design studio Snarkitecture to launch the Bowmore Captivo Collection. This limited-edition duo of 20-year-old single malts features bottle and packaging designs inspired by the Islay landscape and the distillery’s No. 1 Vaults.

The collection includes the Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage, aged in American oak ex-Bourbon casks and finished in American oak Oloroso sherry butts, which is scheduled for release in the U.S. this November. The second expression, Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit, is set to launch in Taipei and Hong Kong later this year.

Separately, Bunnahabhain has released its 12-year-old Cask Strength 2026 expression. Unlike many Islay distilleries that utilize peat, Bunnahabhain focuses on unpeated malt. This specific batch, bottled at 55.8% ABV, was matured in a blend of first-fill Oloroso casks and bourbon barrels, selected by master blender Julieann Fernandez.