Bowmore 17 Year Old - White Sands Whisky 70cl

My well-honed, bloodhound-like nose failed to pinpoint this as an Islay malt. Having said that, it is a perfectly palatable dram and is the whisky you would offer to those that don't like whisky.

I usually don't participate in any kind of discussions about whiskies, because I personally think that the definition of a good whisky is VERY much a matter of opinion and preference. That said I do feel like I have to leave my own input about the whisky at hand because it's getting a bad name that it does not deserve.

I*m personally a HUGE fan of pretty much all Islay malts with their heavy and smoky atmosphere, especially Laphroaigh PX cask and the Ardberg whiskies. I bought my bottle of White Sands due to a recommendation and a small taste from a trusted source. I agree with most of the opinions here that Bowmore White Sands is a lot lighter, easier and A LOT sweeter dram than other Islay malts. What I don't get at all is that why do people say that like it's a bad thing.

Everyone seems to think that an Islay malt needs to be this raging scottish berserker with a gruffy beard and bad manners. White Sands is definitely not that. White Sands is Sean Connerys James Bond in his custom made suit with a Walther PPK, civilised, witty, charming - a true gentleman, but not an inch less of a killer when it's called for!

Hands down the best whiskey I*ve ever enjoyed in the past 20 years!

Felt I had to write something in response to all the skeptic reviews below, as I think this whisky definitely deserves it. I'm a long-time fan of Islay whiskies and especially the big pungent three on the south coast, obviously. But I've also always enjoyed and appreciated Bowmore as a somewhat lighter and sweeter change while still keeping the Islay character. And that's exactly what White Sands is delivering. I don't agree at all that there's nothing peaty or smokey about it. There is and it is instantly recognizible the moment you open the bottle for the first time. It's gentle, true. And it diminishes somewhat over time as the bottle aerates. But it's there and it is nicely surrounded with just the right touch of sweetness that actually resembles Port finish (though it's not Port-finished as far as I know). The overall body and mouthfeel is gentle and you can feel it is well aged. Very nice to start with and then move on to the more smokey beasts. So if you generally appreciate Bowmore's core range, then White Sands should not be a disappointment for you. On the contrary. 5 stars from me.

As mentioned before, typical stuff for the duty free buyers. Lots caramel in colour, really light and simple. I believe that ex-bourbon cask can deliver way more than that. And nothing peaty at all

This is simply the old unsold duty free Bowmore 17 given a packaging facelift. Nothing new here.

A regular Laphroaig drinker, found this Bowmore smooth and a bit sweet.

I have always favored single malts and sampled from what I know to be the best of the best and nothing comes close to White Sands bar non.

smoked buttery heather toffee with a whiff of the fish smokehouse along with some smoked vanilla fudge and waxy orange or kumquat. A note of peppery chocolate along with mellow oak and well balanced sweet smoke/ earthy peat, maybe even a bit of corn on the cob with smoked butter in the mix too. Not a blockbuster Bowmore like the Laimrig or Devils cask but this has more in common with the more Bourbon cask aged Highland Parks in duty free where this one can stay for me. The Whisky Flaneur