Bowmore 15 Year Old

I really like sherry casked and finished Scotches, and I recently started drinking peated Scotches. I love the smoke in a good peated Scotch. This Scotch is very sherry forward in the nose and the palate, with a smoky peated finish. The best of both in my opinion. I took off one star for the chill filtering and the added color.

11th July 2020

I can't drink Macallan. The overly sherried whiskey reeks of rotten egg to me. This is delightful on the palate and a lovely dram, but the nose still has that heavily sherried and slightly off-putting, albeit nowhere near the Macallans. The smoke is quite subtle and I could drink this but prefer others... On the plus side, the sherry finish means it lacks the medicinal tones of Laphroaig and Lagavulin which is a huge boon.

8th July 2020

I didn't get the chance to try the original darkest so have no comparison reeference but I do like Lediag 10 & this has the same peat profile but is heavely sherried.

Smoke is bold, peat is there but not as bold as some Islay's.
Corinth rasins, latte with toffee nut syrup, sherry.
A midge of costal sea water on the finish, or is it just the soft peat raising it's head above the heavily sherried pallet?

Water & time to open up makes it sweeter & as if you have sprinkeled coco powder on the latte with toffee nut syrup.

24th May 2020

If not a perfect marriage between smoke and sherry, then at least a perfectly healthy one! Perfect for dark and chillt autumn and winter evenings

Sláinte!

20th October 2019

I have quite a vast amount of scotch single malt at home adding up to a total of 46 bottles, covering the full range of taste notes whiskeys might offer. The Bowmore 15 years remains one of my favourites among them. A great balance between bourbon, sherry and smoke that makes this dram a perfect go to whisky for any occasion. I highly recommend this bottle!

5th September 2019

Has a great Smoky sherried delivery but the finish is flat. The original "Darkest" was a step up.

23rd August 2019

For me, this is a perfect dram, something to always have in the cupboard. Great balance of sweetness, spice and smoke. Really smooth.

18th May 2019

I find this a really nice smooth single malt with just enough smoke. Really enjoy it, lovely everyday tipple. Almost finished this one so will stock up as soon as.

3rd March 2019

Overall great malt but better if its NCF and no E150a. nose was pleasant, delivery on the palate was great but finish was flat. palate and finish improves with water.

30th January 2019

Magnificent single malt, probably the best at that price. Super sweet and smoky, it's amazingly complex and just leaves you wanting more.

2nd January 2019

I buy this every Christmas, I think it's that good, and affordable in all the Christmas gift shopping.. I like a lot of single malts, mostly Islay, but I demand to get value for the bucks. Bowmore gives this, and age statements. I like Arbeg, Laphroaig, Bowmore and Bunnahanhain. The others I don't care for. I like both Bowmore 12 and 15, the travel retail 15 is also great.

23rd November 2018

Easy drinking and smooth with a little smoke. Pretty nice after or during a dinner. But not very complex, a bit flat on the palate.

In the peat+ sherry market, this is better than Kilchoman Loch Gorm. But will not buy again.

/E

18th October 2018

Just tried a sample. Nothing complex, all the elements are confused, too short.meeeh..

10th August 2018

If this is what used to be called the ‘Darkest’, that whisky used E150A coloring and is chill filtered. I didn’t particularly care for the old brand.

23rd May 2018

Pink lady. Bubble gum. Blood red. Dark sexy.

1st April 2018

Nos to słodki aromat czekolady, skóry, trochę jabłek i torf oraz wędzone mięso - te dymne aromaty nie są na pierwszym planie, ale są tłem, które jest wyraźnie wyczuwalne od początku do końca. Nie ma wątpliwości, że to Islay. Trochę migdałów i karmelu.
Język - słodka, oleista.
Finisz - dym wychodzi trochę z tła, ale wciąż nie dominuje. Pieprzna, cytrusy, skóra. Średnio długi, na koniec pozostaje już głównie dym, ujawnia się w pełnej krasie. Mniej słodka niż zwiastowałby to aromat.

2nd March 2018

I'm sure this used to be called 'Darkest' last year, but now it has replaced the standard 15 y/o expression. And the word 'darkest' has vanished from the packaging. Odd. Yet another whisky 'created' to fit an imaginary gap in the market. I do wish Bowmore would get back to making decent whisky instead of dancing to the marketing department's tune.

It is quite different to the 12 y/o, with a strong and out of character 'captain morgan rum' taste and smell. There is smoke, but it's weak and despite the 3 years in sherry casks, it isn't overly sherried either. I guess cherry and chocolate and rum. Finish is VERY short. Most of the bottle will end up in my home made blend, with an equal measure of Ardmore cask strength to add depth and real smoke.

Despite all these shortcomings it's ok. But I would not buy again.

26th February 2018

A big, rich dram full of raisins and dark chocolate. Creamy and thick in the mouth, smoke arrives late to the party. An ever present in my collection.

21st February 2018

I've just done a tasting session with a few samples, with some staples that I keep in my cupboard, trying to decide what to add next.... The guest list included:
Uigeadail
Corryvreckan
Lagavulin 16
Laphroaig 1/4 cask
Laphroaig 10
Talisker 10
Ardbeg 10
Big Peat
Bowmore 12
Bowmore 15

I'll start by stating that the Oogie and Corry occupy a special place, so they're in. Likewise the standard 10 by Ardbeg as it's just so well rounded. The Bowmore 12 didn't excite me at all, close to bottom of this group for me, but this 15, wow! What a complexity of flavours that is simply absent from the 12! I preferred it to Talisker 10 and put it next to the Laphroaig for interest, though it's quite different. There's several seams of fruity flavours that sits alongside the peat and smoke, cherries and coffee jumping out to me that's presumably the sherry casks shining through.

My islay cabinet will definitely include this, it offers something quite different and equally intriguing as the other menbers. Top Stuff!

8th January 2018

Not on the Ardbeg level (not as complex), but is still very lovely dram, especially for the price. I wish finish was longer.

6th January 2018

Bowmore is one of those distilleries that did not impress me with any of their cheaper/younger stuff but when I spend a few extra bucks they always really impress me. This is no exception I paid $85 but damn it really is that good. All the same peat,peach,vanilla epic-ness of the 10 year old cask strength (tempest in the uk dorus mor in the us) but with so much raisin and cherry and cinnamon apple and so smooth. This is really a one of a kind whisky for me right now never had anything quite like it. Only reason it doesn't get a 10 is because it's only 43% I think at cask strength this could be one of the all time greats. Still totally awesome and worth the money. Cheers! The Sugarbear

18th October 2017

The 3 years, as opposed to 3 months or so, finishing in sherry casks does wonders for my palate. Every dram is equal and distinct im in love with this expression.

8th July 2017

Magnificent whisky. Sweet on the nose and the palate, beautiful raisin, coffee and chocolate aromas along with a little bit of peat smoke (much less than other Bowmore expressions). In my opinon, it is the best Bowmore in the core range. The 12 years old is the whisky that is responsible for the start of my journey in the spirit world. It is pretty good. I tasted the 18 years old, which I found to be too similar to the 12 to justify the price tag.

Overall, I'd stay that Bowmore 15 Darkest is one of the best bottles I own and I ever tested (along with Lagavulin 16 and Talisker 10). Will definitely drink again.

I recommend buying it.

2nd June 2017

A nice balanced dram with interesting flavours. Not usually a Bowmore fan but this is worth a look.

26th May 2017

It may not exactly be a masterpiece, but Darkest is a good, reliable, solid single malt which can be found anywhere in the world.

To me, it possesses a little more character than the standard Bowmore, having a sweet entry, and a surprising, very subtle coffee-chocolate like finish. Its balance sets it apart from other standard offerings, making it perhaps a good entry offering for those not fond of being kicked in the face by peatiness.

15th April 2017

This whiskey is simply delicious. I disagree with the review below saying it is flat on the palate - I found the exact opposite to be true, very complex flavours for me, but everyone is different. I normally drink Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Caol Ila, but this is going to be a permanent fixture on my shelf from now on.

28th December 2016

This whiskey is simply delicious. I disagree with the review below saying it is flat on the palate - I found the exact opposite to be true, very complex flavours for me, but everyone is different. I normally drink Ardbeg, laphroaig and caol ila, but this is going to be a permanent fixture on my shelf from now on.

28th December 2016

Presentation: The bottle has squarer sides and shoulders to your typical whisky bottle and the clear glass allows the natural deep colour of the whisky to star. The label is nothing fancy with some info about the distillery embossed into the glass beneath it. It is hard to confuse a Bowmore bottle for any other.

Appearance: Deep copper orange in colour, a dead giveaway of the long sherry cask finish. No need to add caramel colouring, but it is no doubt chill-filtered to preserve a clear finish.

Aroma: There is a little smoke, but not as much as you would expect from a peated Islay malt or even a younger Bowmore. Strong sherry notes and accompanying aromas of holiday desserts like Christmas pudding, cream, raisins and bitter dark chocolate.

Flavour: A little spice with well-integrated smoke. The peat does not overpower the whisky but instead blends expertly with the sherry flavours to create a smooth pleasant taste.

Finish: Long, with fading spice.

Would I buy it again?

Yes, this is a superb whisky and great example of a sherry finish that is complimented by a little peat smoke rather than being overpowered by it. As with most sherried whiskies, the Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest is a great way to finish the day and the modest 43% ABV makes it quite palatable without dilution for the majority of drinkers.

-WhiskyDad

27th October 2016

I recently reviewed this whisky since my last tasting in 2014. Before it was rather chewy and chocolately. I do find the peat is still there and quite dominant but the finish is rather thin now. I would definitely still buy it and recommend but it has been downgraded.

22nd October 2016

This is one of my favourite dark whiskies. Smells like an oakwood fire, palate is sweet sherry followed by a woody smoke. Tastes like a warm wood fire in my parents rural Scottish house. Divine.

18th September 2016

It's fun to taste this whisky, it has a complex nose that smells consistently of spicy wood. Its a soft pepper wood smell with some smoke that includes a bit of a syrupy sticky sweetness which at times reminded of toasted marshmallow. As I finished the glass I smelled very distinct aromas of burnt paper. So an interesting nose, but the palate was watery, in terms of taste I give it a 6, very smooth (esp. for a 15yo), not offensive in anyway, but not wholly appetizing either. Finish was a little thin, some chocolate, smoke, stickiness.

10th September 2016

I like it! Reading the reviews only serves to prove that Scotch whisky is totally, completely, utterly a personal thing. One man's meat, blah blah. And any suggestion that because you particularly love one whisky, or even one area, that anything else is somehow inferior is just risible. Your opinions are just that - opinions. To say that single malt X is not as good as single malt Y because...... Prefix it with "In my opinion" and we'll all be more willing to listen! I really do appreciate those reviews that outline the qualities and unique aspects of each whisky, but for someone to tell me that something is inferior to something else just because he or she doesn't like it, well, a bit arrogant!

11th August 2016

lots of flavour but peters out too quickly...not my cup of tea - Mifune (collingwood)

3rd July 2016

Lagavulin Distillers Edition is one of my favourite whiskies. This is a very similar dram at £20 less, so outstanding value. Not exactly the same, I'd say the sherry in this is a bit more forward, and with a little less medicinal peaty / iodine tang. But very similar and equally enjoyable in its own right.

5th May 2016

Sweet and Bowmore smoky. Lovely

25th March 2016

Best I've tried. Like I just tasted the earth of the old country.

28th February 2016

It's nice but let's not forget that dark color sells whisky ... so i understand it from a marketing perspective. 'd love to see Bowmore take leadership on Islay for a back to the basics approach ... less sherry ... and no artificial colorings on islay!!! ... love to see a "Seaside offering" with max iodine.

This is a good whisky ... but they are trying too hard for the color from the sherry casks.

14th January 2016

A disappointment!
After tasting both 12 and 18 I gotta say both of them are better then this. I think this one have more peat, which I like but I don't think the peat fits with the other tastes of this whiskey..

Tyvärr den sämsta whiskyn utav Bowmore jag smakat då dess starka röksmak inte går ihop med dess andra smaker, ingen nödvändigtvis dålig whisky men alldeles för dyr. Luktar väldigt gott för övrigt, så lite lurad blir man allt.

5th January 2016

Total disappointment after even Laphroaig 12.

5th January 2016

Toffee, Raisins and Peat and Salted Butter ... in that order. I wish the finish was longer and with more iodine like the 12 yr. Personal preference but, i like the oily and iodine and medicinal. For a 15 i expected more wow. Reminds me a little of a Macallan 12 with Peat.

23rd December 2015

If you like to keep an open mind on different drams this will not disappoint, if your a islay person, or a speyside guy, even a highland or lowland kinda person it offers something to everybody mentioned. is it an ardbeg? no, is it a glenfarclas? no, is it a ancnoc 16? no, my point being is that everybody has their one trick ponies that they go to because they do exactly what is stated on the tin, what they are known for. but if you want to have something that can do all of them and do it reasonably decent then this is it. it has your peat and smoke, it has fruit sweetness and sherry, it has malt and oak, everything really to please all and does it good. an all round good jack of all trades. lovely...

21st December 2015

I have been drinking the Lagavulin 16 for a while now and I found it difficult to appreciate another peated whisky as I liked the Lagavulin. but I finally found something comparable. I cant say its "better", but it's definitely "comparable". Lagavulin as the "explosive peated BBQ sauce punch" and the Bowmore Darkest as a "sweeter sauce" effect on the pallet. Overall, its true that there is still a gap of quality and complexity between these two bottles but its still a cheaper and sweeter version of the Lagavulin. And to be honest, i found that Lagavulin quality is dropping over past years... which is the opposite of Bowmore. In conclusion, you wont throw your Lagavulin away for this one but its worth giving it a try. And depending of what you are looking for (powerful or sweeter), you should probably appreciate this bottle.

17th October 2015

Superb balance,well, maybe erring alittle on the sweet side. A looooong finish with hints of sea salt and toffee."Slightly" less oily than Lagavulin and less money!My new house whiskey!

16th September 2015

In response to "The Whore of Islay"; it is true this one is considerably sweeter than most Islays, but my cabinet has space for many different whiskies. Sometimes I want it dry, peaty, and smoky. Sometimes I want it full and sweet to swirl and sip. If I should feel dirty about buying this delightful whisky then let it be so! Sometimes it is fun to feel dirty!

16th April 2015

Wonderfully sherried and perfectly smoked, smooth from start to finish!

From a neat pour the nose lends beautiful peat smoke, wet earth, campfire ash, and salty coastal notes. After it opened up, sweeter notes like pumpkin pie and golden raisins came thru. The palate is silky, with hints of salted butter, wood, and smoke. The finish is relatively short, but it is best described as spiced caramel with a wonderful transition back to the coastal saltiness and smoke.

I didn't care for the Bowmore 12 as it's heavy iodine, antiseptic, sterile notes were too much for me. However, while some may disagree, the longer aging and sherry casks makes this a well-balanced peated Islay malt.

If you're not into heavy peat and prefer more sherry notes, this is the perfect way to test the waters. Grab a sample from the chaps at Master of Malt!

26th February 2015

This isn't bad, but for an Islay, it's totally an Islay dressed up in a sherry finish, with distillers suppressing her smokey origins. It's actually not bad as a drink for those who aren't particular, but for those who care, you should feel a little dirty buying this one.

23rd February 2015

The Sherry Cask finish makes this the best of the Bowmore collection.

23rd January 2015

Perfect blend of smoke and sweet. A very smooth whisky. Seamless transition from the nose to palate, finishing with a spicy kick at the end.

25th December 2014

Sherried, smoked- drenched treacle toffee. Superb autumn & winter whisky. Good match for Lagavulin 16. Joint top-of-the-tree for sherried Islay- whiskies.

1st November 2014

great whisky lovely sumptuous moorish notes

15th October 2014

Nose of lush fruit,raisin, rum and heath bars. SHERRY, citrus and wood spices come through with peat embers that linger on the finish. How could you not appreciate this?

27th September 2014

One cannot in any way compare this with Lagavulin. This is basically one more boring, overpriced whiskey. Move on.

21st August 2014

For the price this one is fantastic.

9th August 2014

I was disappointed after reading the reviews on this. Weak spices and lacked the oily/ syrup finish described.
At this price far too pricey. There is a mild sulphur after taste , average quality which should be reflected in the price.

7th July 2014

Not a bad whisky, but for this price, I think there a better drams out there. Unless you really love that unique Bowmore character, get a sample and move on.

30th April 2014

I was expecting a bit more from this compared to other smoked whisky of Islay.
However still stands quite good to me.
gp

19th March 2014

Completly awsome compared to the Bowmore 12 yo, which is horrible

14th November 2013

Whereas Bowmore 15 will not necessarily make your eyes water upon first swill like Lagavulin with its almost overly robust peaty taste, it (Bowmore) does deliver a smoother, more velvet-like, slower after-burn that lingers on the palate. I thoroughly enjoy the rough-hewn experience of Lagavulin in the winter - nothing else warms and satisfies like it. I enjoy it and any good Islay Single Malt for the same reasons my wife and I enjoy a very hardy Cabernet - a libation can't be too robust given a chill in the air. That said, I've grown weary of chasing the increasingly over-bid price of Lagavulin 16 and the abject mishandling of the supply by the distillery (which was probably by design to drive-up the pricing). So, following the counsel of the Dining Room Manager at my club, I tried Bowmore 15 as a viable substitute-come-rival of Lagavulin - AND, I've not been disappointed. It's a good Islay Single Malt worth the modest increase in price. And as with most Single Malts, it couples well with a good cigar. Cheers!

7th October 2013

Sick of spending 100.00 plus on bottles of Lagavulin, try Bowmore Darkest... I was looking for a cheaper alternative and I want to tell you... This really gives the more expensive Lagavulin 16 a run for its money... Depending on your taste it's as good or better.. definitely a smoother finish...You just can't go wrong here..

24th September 2013

My first impression of this was not great as I thought the sherry character was quite aggressive but now I've familiarised myself with it I think this is a superb whisky. There is plenty of smoke up front then the wonderfully rich body takes over, then the smoke returns for the finish, it’s quite unlike anything I've had before. Huge flavour and complexity, brilliant.

6th September 2013

The notorious smoked apple juice theme meets sickeningly sweet sherried malt. What a horror show! I'll stay with other Islay malts.

5th August 2013

Smoking cedar, plum, and clove. The aroma adds very dark chocolate candy, with toffee, vanilla, and cinnamon. The palate adds sour cherry. A very complex melange that delights the senses, especially at cooler temperature.

4th August 2013

That's right; a spice and fiery number until the flames calm down to singed orange peel, dense fruitcake and burned bonfire toffee. A dangerous night on a Scottish hillside bursts with flames of bracken. Not to be trifled with. Until the clinkers cool, ash and spread with molasses, ending as currants coated with caramel.

30th May 2013

Nice smoked and woody whisky. I also love the colour a lot.
Although I find it a little to pricy for what it is.

13th April 2011

WIN!

11th December 2010

Just one thing to say...just lovely!

7th September 2010