The Bowmore 12: The First (Of Many!) Islay Malts

Name: Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch 12 Years Old
Distillery: Bowmore
Region: Islay
Age Statement: 12 Years Old
Type: Single Malt
Alc/Vol: 40%

I was given the chance to try the Laphroaig Cask Strength Batch 002 not too long ago, and the tasting notes on that would be up soon, but on the subject of Islay whiskies I decided that I would do a review on one of the Islay bottling that has been around my place (my brother's place to be exact) for a while now.

I have been trying to make my way around the various different types of whisky available around the world, but on the subject of Scotch, the Islay whiskies can lay claim to a very prestigious spot. Recognised as a whisky producing region on its own, the whiskies from the Isle of Islay are often revered as the most smoky and salty of the lot (due to the use of peat, the nature of the peat, the water sources and the maritime characteristics of the air etc.) without compromising on the lovely fruit and floral flavours. What follows, then, from a good Islay whisky is an extremely balanced and flavourful whisky. But don't be deceived, the distilleries on Islay have their own unique signatures (some may be more smoky, others with more flavours of the brine) and they can be very different despite such commonalities.

The Bowmore brand is perhaps one of the most globally recognized of the Islay whiskies. Interestingly, it is owned by Suntory, a Japanese company. This 12 year old expression seems to be classically Bowmore, with a nice mix of fruity sweetness and smokiness.

Nose: The distinctive smokiness mixes with the honied sweetness, creating an aroma reminiscent of honey baked ham. This is matched with the candied, citrus-filled sweetness of lemon drops.

Taste/Palate: Honied sweetness gives way to a pungent smokiness that has an ash-like flavour, almost like eating something slightly burnt. But throughout this the lemon-drop sweetness never ceases, mixed nicely with what seems like brown sugar

Finish: More fruity than smoky, notes of canned fruits.

Overall: This is a decent enough introduction to the Islay malts, but it seems to lack the flavour intensity and complexity to make it a clear winner. 82/100


Found at: Quaich Bar, La Maison Du Whisky, Highlander Bar, The Auld Alliance