5 Bowmore Devil's Cask Releases Compared, From 2013 to 2026

The five Bowmore Devil's Cask releases are Release I (2013, 10 years old, 56.9% ABV), Release II (2014, 10 years old, 56.3%), Release III, Double the Devil (2015, no age statement, 56.7%), the 10 Year Old Inspired by the Devil's Casks for travel retail (2016, 46%, 1 litre) and The Devil's Cask 2026 (10 years old, 40%). The three originals were cask strength small batches from first fill sherry casks, and the 2026 edition returns to the 10 years in first fill Oloroso of the first two releases at a lower strength.

Key Takeaways

• Release I (2013) was a 10 year old matured only in first fill Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at cask strength, 56.9%, in a batch of 6,000 bottles.

• Release II (2014) kept the same recipe, 10 years in first fill Oloroso and 6,000 bottles, at 56.3%.

• Release III, Double the Devil (2015), dropped the age statement and married first fill Oloroso with Pedro Ximénez casks for the first time, at 56.7%, as the third and final release.

• The 2016 travel retail edition, Inspired by the Devil's Casks, combined Oloroso casks with red wine barriques and was bottled at 46% in 1 litre bottles.

• The Devil's Cask 2026 is a 10 year old fully matured in hand selected, first fill Oloroso sherry casks, bottled at 40% in 700 ml, and not released to shops in Germany.

Tip: The quickest way to tell the three original releases apart is the strength on the label: 56.9% for Release I, 56.3% for Release II and 56.7% for Release III, which is also the only one without an age statement.

Release I (2013) Started the Series With 10 Years in First Fill Oloroso

Bowmore launched The Devil's Casks in 2013 as a small batch of 6,000 bottles. It was a 10 year old matured only in first fill Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at cask strength, 56.9% ABV. Full sherry maturation was unusual for Bowmore, which normally combines bourbon and sherry wood.

The name comes from a Bowmore legend. As the distillery tells it, the Devil once visited the round church in Bowmore, a church built round so that he would have no corners to hide in. The congregation chased him down to the distillery, but he vanished. That night casks were loaded onto the Maid of Islay, a small paddle steamer bound for the mainland, and it is believed the Devil escaped in one of them.

Release I sold out quickly. In the United States it launched at about $90, and Whisky Advocate scored it 90 points.

Release II (2014) Kept the Same 10 Year Oloroso Recipe

The second release was announced in August 2014 and reached UK shops in October. Bowmore kept the formula: 10 years fully matured in first fill Oloroso sherry casks, again 6,000 bottles, this time at 56.3% ABV. It launched at about £60.

Critics were split. Whisky Advocate scored it 87 points, a little below the first release, while other reviewers preferred its sweeter, more sherried style.

Release III (2015) Doubled the Devil With Pedro Ximénez Casks

Released on 26 October 2015 as the third and final Devil's Casks, Double the Devil broke the pattern. It carried no age statement and married first fill Oloroso casks with first fill Pedro Ximénez casks, the first time the series used PX. It was bottled at cask strength, 56.7% ABV, and launched at £190, far above the first two releases.

Its launch notes described dark fruit, sultana and treacle toffee on the nose, date, chocolate fudge and coffee on the palate, and smoked fruitcake, blood orange and sea salt in the finish.

The 2016 Travel Retail Edition Added Red Wine Casks

A year after the trilogy closed, Bowmore released a 10 Year Old labelled Inspired by the Devil's Casks Series, exclusively for travel retail in Europe and Asia Pacific. It was not a fourth release. It combined first fill Oloroso sherry casks with red wine barriques, was bottled at 46% rather than cask strength, and came in a 1 litre bottle. It launched at £45.

The Devil's Cask 2026 Returns to 10 Years in First Fill Oloroso

Bowmore 10 Years Old The Devil's Cask 2026 goes back to the idea of Releases I and II: a 10 year old fully matured in hand selected, first fill Oloroso sherry casks, for what the label calls richer, darker depths. The big change is strength. At 40% ABV in a 700 ml bottle, it is the lowest strength in the series so far.

The packaging is new as well: a black label with fine red flame lines, and a bright red gift box with the devil drawn in black line art and a gold trident at its centre. The bottling is not released to shops in Germany and is rarely seen in Europe.

Tip: When comparing bottles, check strength and bottle size first. The three originals are cask strength 700 ml bottles, the travel retail edition is a 1 litre bottle at 46%, and the 2026 edition is a 700 ml bottle at 40%.

FAQ

How many Bowmore Devil's Cask releases are there?

Five: Release I (2013), Release II (2014), Release III, Double the Devil (2015), the travel retail 10 Year Old Inspired by the Devil's Casks (2016) and The Devil's Cask 2026.

Which Devil's Cask has no age statement?

Release III, Double the Devil, from 2015. The other four releases are all 10 years old.

Which Devil's Cask releases were bottled at cask strength?

The three originals: Release I at 56.9%, Release II at 56.3% and Release III at 56.7%. The travel retail edition is 46% and the 2026 edition is 40%.

What casks are used for The Devil's Cask 2026?

It is fully matured for 10 years in hand selected, first fill Oloroso sherry casks, the same cask type as Releases I and II.

Why is it called The Devil's Cask?

In Bowmore legend, the Devil was chased from the round church to the distillery and is believed to have escaped in a cask aboard the Maid of Islay, bound for the mainland.

Where can I buy The Devil's Cask 2026 in Europe?

It is not released to shops in Germany and is rarely seen in Europe. You can preorder it on Spiritory.