The heart of the Bowmore range, the 12 year old exhibits some beautiful coastal notes with a gentle peat, it is the balance that the floral element presents that makes this a great entry bottling for Bowmore.
Coastal smoke and ash soon make way for bergamot, orange zest, lemon slices and some hay before becoming rather floral, heather smoke now competing with the ash.
Lovely and rounded, honeyed even, initially. Vanilla, perfumed smoke and coastal elements develop. Dark Peat. Blossom, oily sweetness.
Smoky and long. Sea spray, dry grass, a touch of ash and citrus.
Classic stuff and the heart of the Bowmore range. Smoky, fruity, coastal, delicious.
I have had the Bowmore 12, 15 and 18 and they are all good. Laphroaig or a Lagavulin good? No of course not. But this is definitely an Islay Single Malt you should have if you like Peated Whisky. I actually like Bowmore 12 quite a lot and for the price it is well worth it. Where I live Laphroaig Quarter Cask is ten dollars more expensive and 6 out of 10 times I would go with Laphroaig...but that still means that 4 out of 10 times I would get Bowmore.
I hadn't had this malt in my cupboard for a while so I thought it was time for a re-acquaintance - and I'm really glad I did. I really enjoyed the more subtle fruit and smokiness than some other more heavily peated Islay malts I've been drinking lately AND there was a lovely floral note in the finish - something like lavender or the old parma violets taste - if that makes sense. Also, at just under £30 for a 12y0 Islay - is this the best Islay buy? The only thing that would improve it is if it were a higher proof and non-chillfiltered - but then, of course, the cost would go up.
I should acknowledge for those that may not know, that Bunnahabhain is the exception to the rule for the traditionally peated Islay whiskies.
Smooth, sweet, and a touch of peat. I enjoy 'coastal' notes - salt and cold smoke - but the complex nose and the smooth palate weren't enough to overcome the underlying base of a lingering antiseptic / iodine taste and smell. I enjoyed sampling this and will try the Bowmore 15 next, but for now if I want a 12 year Islay, its got to be Bunnahabhain!
Love Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Caol Ila, and Lagavulin. Bowmore 12? No so much. I couldn't believe how quickly the taste fades from the tongue. If you love a peaty Islay, skip Bowmore and stick with the Islay powerhouses.
