Released in 2016, this is a well-sherried single malt from Islay's Bowmore distillery. Matured for nine years in a combo of bourbon and sherry casks, Bowmore's distinctive smokiness still shines through.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Breathe in rich cocoa, pepper and raisins balanced with citrus tang and wisps of Islay smoke.
Complex sherry with peat smoke followed by dark fruits and sweet crème caramel.
Savour the perfect balance of sea salt and peat smoke.
Got this for £20 at Asda. What more could you ask? Quite a lot actually. For £20 you can find much better, and that's pretty damning. It's hard to know what Bowmore is thinking here. This is not a patch on the 12yo or the Tempest, regardless of the cost. If Bowmore wants to release a killer sherry edition it should concentrate on getting the Darkest 15yo right and leave the budget market well alone to those who do it far better. Ultra bland, at best.
I like it
Has the rich smoke expected in bowmore and plenty of flavour and mouthfeel for a 40% malt. It lacks the rich sweetness of the 15 yo darkest meaning it is unbalanced and quite dry. It is also worryingly as dark as the 15yo even though it is weaker and younger...
So well balanced. I was reminded of the 15 YO Bowmore and also the 12 YO, thinking this is somewhere in-between but not as sweet as the 12. The dram is dry and has a medium to long finish. Just washing a good size slug of it round the taste buds reveals sumptuous complexity of sherry, peat smoke and oak.
