A whisky with a very spooky tale

Welcome! 👋

I’ve always loved a ghost story. 

Ever since I was a boy. 

Even though I don’t (really) believe in ghosts, I still enjoy that feeling of being pulled into an eerie world of the unknown. 

So, with Halloween just around the corner, I’d like to share a spooky ‘ol tale with you. 

One my father used to tell me when I was younger about his favourite whisky distillery—Bowmore. 

The tale of Bowmore and the headless horseman. 

It’s more of a funny story, really. 

Although the locals don’t think so. 

I hope you’ve got a dram in your hand... 

You’re going to need it. 

Legend has it that an Islay crofter named Lachlan Bàn was returning home one stormy night.  

Through the wind and darkness, he spotted a ghostly figure: a headless horseman galloping away from his house. 

Lachlan turned pale with fear! 

Entering the house cautiously, he saw that the fire he had lit just an hour earlier had completely gone out. 

The floor was damp, and on the table, he noticed an opened bottle of Bowmore Single Malt whisky—with a generous dram missing. 

Whoever (or whatever) had visited certainly had good taste, he thought. 

Reluctantly, he threw out the bottle and locked the door behind him. That night, he was haunted by dreams of a headless horseman angrily demanding his whisky back and furiously pounding on the door. 

When Lachlan awoke, it was only the wind, but the unsettling dreams kept him sleepless. 

The next day, at the local inn, Lachlan shared his terrifying encounter. The villagers were stunned, and rumours of the headless horseman spread quickly. 

The truth, however, was revealed a week later when Lachlan’s brother visited. 

The brother revealed that it was he who had passed by that night during the storm.  

The wind had forced the door open and blown out the fire. He had brought a bottle of Bowmore to share but couldn’t wait any longer, so he swigged a quick dram and rode back with a cloak pulled tight over his head to keep out the rain. 

Too embarrassed to admit the truth, Lachlan let the ghostly tale live on. 

And so, to this day, no true Ileach (that’s an Islay resident to you and me) ever offers guests whisky from an opened bottle—for fear of summoning the thirsty headless horseman! 

To honour Bowmore’s rich tradition, pioneering whisky craftsmanship, and, of course, my father’s exceptional taste, we are offering a 1989 Refill Bourbon cask, aged 35 years, 42.60% ABV. 

It showcases a complexity only found in well-aged, carefully crafted whiskies, offering notes of summer fruits, gentle flowers, soft peat smoke, and salty sea spray. 

It’s taken me years to get my hands on one of these!  

This cask is available on a first come first serve basis, so get in touch quickly if you’re interested.  

Or simply reply to this email, we read every one.

As always, cheers!

Michael Doerr

Founder & CEO, Oeno Group