43% alc./vol.
Bowmore Distillery, Bowmore, Islay, Scotland
An old Bowmore here, probably available a few years ago, a bridge between the 15 and the 18 years? Around 2014 I think it was an official bottling of the distillery's “Core Range”!
There isn't much info left on this, but it's part of the game when we exchange samples, we have some, but we have so many that sometimes we lose track!
As the American war journalist and writer said so well Ernest "Ernie" Taylor Pyle (1900-1945) said so well:
Culture is like a parachute jump: when you don't have one, you crash
Her plump, swift legs drown in a golden bath.
Nose:
Peat and apples. We quickly replace these smells with passion fruit and caramel. Rather absurd and far from the usual style of the distillery. Subtle sherry as a backdrop.
Taste:
Silky texture. Caramel, grape and peat. The sherry shines a bit brighter here, but it's hard to ignore that it looks like a Bowmore that doesn't quite deliver the goods.
Finish:
Soft and slightly peaty, the leather and the fruits of the barrel do all the work. Quite pleasant smoked and salted meat.
Balance:
Hard to believe it's that old. Some notes ring false. Again, an overly diluted malt.
Note: ★★★★★