69 Customer Reviews

• 5
  Jesse P 9 days ago

  Beautiful balance of peat smoke and tropical fruit with a smooth caramalized aroma

• 4
  Jacob K. 10 June

  When I first purchased Bowmore 12 year, I did not enjoy it. Would have given it 2 stars. But I cannot stress enough, I was a novice drinker. With very little burn and an appropriate smokiness, this scotch grew on me. By my third opening of the bottle, I was had changed my tune significantly. Give it a little time to grow on you!

• 4
  JohnyB 7 June

  Great Value Islay. But a word of warning. Don't add too much water as it breaks down quickly. Better drunk neat IMO.

• 1
  Alastair 26 May

  So sweet, very fruity. Is sugar added? Surely not. Sweet like Cointreau.

• 4
  Hanimo 23 May

  Strangely, while I feel like Bowmore 12 is a fine, 4/5 scotch, on the Whisky Exchange where a lot of ratings seem rather inflated, I wish I could give it a 4.5/5. Bowmore 12 is outstanding for the price, and rather unique as an Islay scotch for being inexpensive yet also having a rather restrained peat character. It's sweet and easy drinking with a medicinal aftertaste. The nose is diverse enough to allow other scents in along with the peat. If you're going to keep a cheap, midly smoky Islay around, Bowmore is a great option to have. It's a lot less peaty than your average Islay, and a welcome addition to any collection.

• 5
  Artem 28 April

  Great whisky. When I tried it first time it appeared to me not very complex, flat taste. But after 2nd or 3dr try I opened the beauty of Bowmore 12. Nice fruit palate with gentle smoke in the back. Very smooth finish. And awesome arome from the glass after you finished it. Something like dried smoked plum with mineral tones.

• 4
  SDK 30 March

  For budget minded Islay enthusiasts, pretty hard to beat. A solid performer.

• 3
  The Whisky Lion 24 February

  I would give this 3.5. It's improved in recent years, subtle peated smoke, lovely fruit forward notes and on the nose. It's an entry level and affordable Islay single malt. Bottled at 46% without colour and chill-filtration and it would be brilliant. Even an increase to a tick over 43% would see a jumo to 4/5 stars.

• 4
  LOKNES 24 February

  Fabulous whisky, one of the best bangs for your buck. Great intro to Islay scotch. Nice amount of smoke with a beautiful sweet fruit right behind, sugary fruit like pineapple and figs with a smooth lingering finish and a tail end of peat remaining. One I will always keep on my shelf. 4.5 for me.

• 1
  Anonymous 20 February

  It tasted like medicine. I'll stick to Macallan 12 year, thank you.

• 5
  James 17 February

  First time sipper of this beauty, after the urgings of an experienced Scotch drinker. Should have listened sooner.

• 4
  BasedAnon 26 January

  This was my first experience with an Islay whisky. At first, the smokiness was all I could tase, but as I became accustomed to this new flavor I began to appreciate it more and more. If this is your first Islay, be prepared for a shock. I first regretted buying this bottle but as I drank, it seemed to be a decent purchase.

• 5
  Michael 11 January

  Disclaimer: I LOVE peaty/smokey single malts. Having lived in Edinburgh in 2016 my colleagues "introduced" to every Single Malt distilled in Scotland. I gravitated to all the Single Malts from Islay. I find Bowmore 12 provides the classic Islay smoke, not too much and not too little. Though I prefer even more. My favorite is Octomore! on a smoke scale of 1-10, it's a 12. :) So, if you like it smokey hit Octomore. Which will be a bit more expensive than Bowmore. Really any Single Malt from Scotland is worthy of praise, it's just what pairs well with you. I think Bowmore 12 is a great value and when I sip it it brings me back to my apartment in Young Street, Endinburgh. Cheers!

• 2
  C Doyle 2 January

  Very smoky and smooth. Easy on the throat but medicinal finish.

• 5
  Brian77131 20 December 2017

  I really enjoyed this scotch, for my first endever into Islay scotch it was a nice Smokey flavor but not over powering with a nice smooth finish

• 4
  John 10 December 2017

  Peat and smoke but not too much of either. Very nice surprise for the price.

• 4
  Craig 19 November 2017

  I really like the price point, usually hauling back the Macallans Gold or Aberlour 12 year which are much slighter with vanilla forward and caramel finish. This is nice with the smoke and citrus combo. Its a Saturday night dram with some jazz playing to warm. Cheers!

• 5
  Amit 10 November 2017

  Very smoky I love it

• 3
  big Donwon 7 November 2017

  My first glass of this I was shocked it was not what I was expecting in a bad way. If felt like a cheap whisky with the alcohol burn that you get. I was so disappointed that I bought it when I wanted a glenfiddich which I love for the price. Now with my second glass it was a whole new experience and now I enjoy it I don't know if i'll buy it again unless there is a sale but if you do not like it give it a second glass. The flavours are earthy and a bit of smoke not much. I get no fruit I think they were dreaming with that. It is not as smooth as I like my scotch but its a nice mix up to make you appreciate the scotch you really enjoy as your favourite.

• 1
  Luc 3 November 2017

  Way too smokey for me....my girlftiend kissed me after I had some of this...she thought I had started smoking again. I think I wont comment on Scotch Whiskys anymore, I am a big big fan of Irish, American and Canadian Whiskies cause I just cant get used to the burned peat aftertaste of the Scotish liquid...even after 40 years of trying, my Scot friends hate me.