Bowmore Single Malt Whisky has won more awards and accolades than any other Islay single malt, including the unprecedented accolade of entry into the Hall of Fame at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Bowmore was the first, and remains the only, whisky distiller in the world to be awarded this accolade. Bowmore's close proximity to the sea is vital in determining the final character of the Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, as is the strict adherence to the traditional production methods handed down.

One of the oldest in Scotland, Bowmore Distillery was established in 1779 by local merchant David Simson. Simson moved to the new village of Bowmore from Killarow around 1766. He was a farmer, a merchant, a postmaster, a sailor and most memorably – a whisky distiller. His arrival coincided with the expansion of the village after Daniel Campbell The Younger, the Laird of Islay, decided to build Bowmore as the island's capital. The first recorded mention of the distillery was in 1779, the first on Islay, but it is believed to have started soon after David's arrival in 1766. He was a pioneer - he built the distillery, distilled the whisky and introduced the new famous Islay whisky to the world