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.
Was: £192.90Now: £191.90
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
