Bw1 - Elements of Islay

Nose

Sweet orange liqueur, mango, tinned peach.

Palate

Bonfire notes upfront with the fruit behind. Soot, earth, wet burnt wood, turf, some sweet tropical fruit in the background.

Finish

Warm and long, makes the mouth water.

Nose

Clean, fresh Islay nose with tight peat, plenty of coastal notes (seashells, kelp, gravel) and fresh walnuts. Some lemon, eventually growing towards sweet kiwi. Hints of wet wool and oil. Also distinctive floral notes.

Mouth

Very much in line. Smoke, fizzy lemon and hints of pineapple in the background. Liquorice and salt, a little resin maybe. A nice hint of mocha in the aftertaste.

Finish

Long, still on coastal notes and salty liquorice with a soft grapefruit bitterness.

If you wanted to discover the typical character of Bowmore, here’s a suitable bottle for you. A classic example of the 1990’s Bowmore style, if only a little rough.

Score

87/100

Nose

We’re on a lot of motor oil and definitely on whiffs of car engine at first nosing, just before more brine, raw wool, seaweed and fresh walnuts come through. Also paraffin, white truffles, grapefruits and a bag of salt/rocks.

With water: It’s the peated barley that got louder. Kiln smoke, flint, wet wool, soot…

Mouth (neat)

Excellent attack, nervous, perfectly simple, lemony, very zesty, sweet, fruity and only slightly salty. Some butter cream and just touches of Williams pears, with the peat and some pepper roaring in the background – but only in the background. Dangerously drinkable!

With water: One could quaff lethal doses of this.

Finish

Rather long, saltier now.

Comments

Maybe I’m not a total fan of the nose but the palate is wonderful. SGP:446 - 87 points.

Nose

Sweet butter, kiwi, unripe mango, grapefruit, Refresher chews, wax polish, a hint of pot pourri, cream and touches of cinnamon.

Palate

Deceptively peaty, with sour liquorice turning sweet, spice, rich green apple and pineapple kubes.

Finish

Lingering green fruit and a hint of ash.