Name: Bowmore 18
Color: Brown
Nose: Malt, oak, raisins, vanilla, caramel, light smoke
Taste: Malt, oak, dark/fruit, spices, caramel, light peat
The Bowmore Distillery is located on the Isle of Islay on the South Eastern shore of Lock Indaal. It was established in 1779 and is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, but like the majority of Scottish Distilleries it is under control of Suntory.
Bowmore 18 is aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso casks, appears to be colored, and is bottled at 43% abv. Upon my first taste the whisky it was very tight and surprisingly robust. It was stronger and more robust than I was expecting for an 18-year-old. After a few minutes I took my second taste expecting the flavors to mellow. I was again surprised that it held the strong body and mouth feel and I noticed a little snap on the finish. The malt, fruits, and smoke worked very well together at the proof and age of this expression. From my research the Bowmore 18 was released in January 2007 to replace the 17-year-old. I have not sampled Bowmore in years and I need to really focus on their expressions in the future.
Other Expressions: Bowmore No. 1, 12, 15-Year-Old Darkest, 18, 25, 18 Year Manzanilla Cask, 19 Year French Oak Barrique, 26 Year French Oak Barrique, Bowmore 1964, Vault Edition Atlantic Sea Salt, Mizunara Cask, Bowmore 1957, The 50-Year-Old, Bowmore Arc-52, and 52 Years Old.
Travel Expressions: 10-Year-Old Dark & Intense,15-Year-Old Golden & Elegant, 18-Year-Old Deep & Complex, Bowmore 1984, and others depending upon releases.
Priced around $175+ and worth it if you like the flavor profile. I will be buying this bottle next time I see it in the store.
If you like it, drink it! – Chris
If you like it, drink it!
