A 15 year old released in January of 2007 from the legendary Bowmore distillery in Islay, finished in Sherry casks, imparting a rich sweetness that blends well with the peaty elements.
Dark and punchy. Sherry notes, juicy Corinth raisins. Spices. Creamy, mochaccino, sweet dates.
Rich, woody, pine oil. Syrupy. Lovely, creamy toffee and malt. Smoky.
Spicy, toffee, sherry, barley.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Has a great Smoky sherried delivery but the finish is flat. The original "Darkest" was a step up.
