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    • bowmore 12 year old

    Bowmore 12 Year Old 87
    Distillery
    Bowmore
    Style
    Single Malt
    Release
    Unspecified
    Age
    12 Years
    Alcohol
    40% abv.
    Region
    Scotland, Islay
    Bottled For
    Distillery

    Established in 1779, Bowmore Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and nestles on the shores of Loch Indaal on the Inner Hebridean Isle of Islay. Bowmore is universally regarded as the best balanced of all the Islay malts, as characterised by its wonderfully rich and complex flavours.

    review by wtl.base

    81
    Color
    Caramel.
    Nose
    Moderate peat and smoke, grapefruit, dark chocolate, Assam tea. Wet oak. Some faint floral notes too. Full of character, but needs time. I love the smoke, it is elusive but very distinct.
    Body
    Thin, lightly oily.
    Palate
    Dry, a bit sour and tangy. Lean malt. Some peat. The nose is still lurking in the background but in a veiled dulled-down form.
    Finish
    Medium, dry.

    The nose is distinct and very inviting, but the lacklustre palate suddenly makes everything toned down, and the finish doesn't quite save the show. I always enjoy this dram but I can't help the feeling it should have been much better. Would love to try this bottled at a higher strength and with no chill filtration.

    review by flipper_gv

    89
    Color
    Light gold
    Nose
    SMOKE!!! Some nice malty sweetness like light honey mixed with sweet fruits like pears too. Some peat. Some very light salt
    Body
    Medium body. Oily and very smooth.
    Palate
    Starts off with some salt (light) and peat. Then goes with the sweetness described (fruits being only very light in the taste) with honey and malty sweet tastes. A bit of spice
    Finish
    Long, smooth, mostly oak and tons of smoke, as expected. Gets sweeter at the end.

    Very good whisky for the price. Most of the flavors are distinct, giving it a multidimensional aspect.

    review by jorrit

    92
    Color
    Light, gold, honey
    Nose
    light saltiness along with smoke and after a short while some hints of herbs and a sweet (toffee-like) undertone.
    Body
    Oily but still smooth
    Palate
    At first peat and salt, later on some sweet hints (dark chocolate, toffee and a little bit lemon)
    Finish
    Warm and long. Nice and well balanced. From peat and saltiness to more subtle flavours (chocolate, herbs/spices)

    review by wilderthanyou2367

    85
    Color
    honey
    Nose
    peat, heavy smoke, camp fire, medicine.
    Body
    slick.
    Palate
    Peat, smokey, some oak/vanilla, a touch of honey.
    Finish
    Long and complex, very even beat to this whiskey.

    Cracked this on my birthday. Isley's are not my particular favorite, but this one was particularly enjoyable. A very even beat to the flavours.

    review by anonymous

    90
    Color
    Light Amber
    Nose
    Sea Salt, Smoky and Woody.
    Body
    Oily
    Palate
    Hint of honey, Charred wood and smoke, Dark Chocolate, Sweet and bitter.
    Finish
    Starts strong,long and smoky. Ends with a smooth chocolate coffee finish.

    A great whisky for the price !

    review by anonymous

    86
    Color
    Pale Honey
    Nose
    Pleasant, easy smell. Light smoke, hint of peat, but unlike Laphroaig, no salt.
    Body
    Fluid, light, smooth
    Palate
    Very slight sting of alcohol, molasses, soft smoke. Mild.
    Finish
    Again, smooth and light, but with very nice flavors. Graham cracker & fireplace.

    A lot of nice flavors without being overpowering. A nice intro to Islay, that won't explode your face like a Laphroaig. Happily for me, does not have the nasty taste of sherry like Macallan.

    review by rowey

    86
    Color
    Amber
    Nose
    Smoke, peat, vanilla and a hint of sea air.
    Body
    Soft and oily.
    Palate
    Smokey and peaty, charred wood, sea-salt, vanilla-honey notes. Very controlled and smooth.
    Finish
    Long smokey finish with some clove and a hint of sweetness at the end.

    An excellent introduction to Islay malts.

    review by anonymous

    93
    Color
    medium amber
    Nose
    smoke, coal, aok
    Body
    smooth and oily
    Palate
    mushroom, tar, peat, oak
    Finish
    smooth and disappearing

    very impressive and works perfectly with a nice Romeo y Julieta No2

    review by anonymous

    91
    Color
    medium amber
    Nose
    Salt, some smoke and sardine
    Body
    smooth
    Palate
    If some whiskies are well-balanced, this is dissonant, in a very good way. You detect distinct flavors of salt, iodine, citrus, and of course, peat.
    Finish
    Strong finish, a little spicey.

    The word I think of is "deconstructionist." One of my favorites.

    review by frombeyond

    86
    Color
    light color
    Nose
    peaty and smokey, but also dissapears and is quite multidimesional
    Body
    medium body
    Palate
    Earthy and lemony. Restrained and very interesting. Chocolate and sweet to.
    Finish
    nice long finish

    I like this malt its kind of bordeaux like in it's restraint and has a nice earthy character, Not over the top like laphroaig.

    review by anonymous

    80
    Color
    gold
    Nose
    smoky peat and fruit
    Body
    thick and oily
    Palate
    peaty & salty
    Finish
    long, complex, yet smooth

    You will enjoy this one!