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.
If you're heavily into Smokey whisky (and I mean heavily) this might be up your alley. I found it quite overpowering but mellows slightly with a wee drop of water.
I'm a Highland Park 12 lover and the store I visited (out or town) did not have the HP, so I thought I would try this. Always wanted to try the Bowmore 12. Well, it's good, but not great. I enjoy it, but don't love it. As one reviewer said, if you're looking for something to spend the evening with, its uneventful. Still . . . a good whisky for the money.
Very good but only second to Lagavulin 16 years old for me. Smooth for a single malt.
I was long put off by the relatively low score this whisky has here. But since it was on sale for a very low campaign price in our local supermarket, I just had to buy it. And honestly, I don't really understand the modest reviews this whisky is often getting. Sure, I can think of a handful of Islay whiskies that are better, but all in all, and especially for those loving a bit of peat in their whisky, this is a very good dram! The price performance is among the best, and it is very-very easily drinkable. And you need those in your cabinet. Something that you would just like to enjoy and not think too much about. So I wouldn't be surprised if I will always find a bottle of Bowmore 12 in my store from now on. Maybe it has to do with the fact that this was my first Islay in 10 months and I had forgotten the taste of peat, but who cares really :) Any whisky that makes you feel like coming home again deserves a clap!
Pretty damn good and it doesn't give you a headache or hangover, providing you don't drink more than 700mL in a 12-hour period.
