Name: Bowmore 15 Year Old – Darkest
Color: Dark brown/orange
Nose: Dry fruit, vanilla, sweetness
Taste: Light smoke, sweetness, dark fruits
Bowmore 15-year-old “Darkest” is an expression that was released in 2007 so it has some time on the market. Bowmore is an Islay scotch, and if you follow my reviews, you know I call that region of Scotland the “big boy scotch” area. Islay is known to produce strong, peaty and smoky whisky’s that people either love or hate. I love them in the winter but skip them in the summer.
The name “Darkest” comes from the color which is a combo of the sherry casks and caramel coloring. Coloring scotch is legal in Scotland with respect to scotch laws. This expression has 12 years in ex-bourbon casks and three years in Oloroso sherry casks. As with a lot of these 15-year-old sherry cask whisky’s, it is basically the distilleries 12-year-old product with another 3 years in sherry casks. I have not been amazed by this method or business model.
I have noticed over the last couple of years that sherry cask finishes are becoming very popular. I theorize (based on no research), that they are marketing to non-whisky drinkers by sweetening the scotch. Nothing wrong with sherry cask finishes, but sometimes I feel like I am drinking sugar scotch water.
Priced around $75 its good but a bit expensive for the sweet taste.
If you like it, drink it! – Chris
If you like it, drink it!
