Category Archives: Bowmore
Bowmore 16yo 1989
Whisky: Bowmore 16yo 1989 Limited Edition, 51.8%
No price available
This 1989 vintage Bowmore, cask strength release was the first in their vintage series. Matured primarily in bourbon casks and non chillfiltered.
Nose: A light and very fresh nose with light peat smoke. Slightly medicinal with notes of citrus, tropical fruits and flowers. Maritime saltiness.
Taste: An immediate zing on the lips and front of the tongue with rich lively flavours of tropical fruit and lemon meringue. Quite aromatic and drying with cream and vanilla. Very fragrant, but unfortunately the peat is missing here though.
Finish: A long finish with the peat arising once again for a final goodbye, accompanied with helping of custard.
My Score: 83
An enjoyable and interesting Bowmore, and also rather atypical. The nose is wonderful but the palette is disappointing, and although the finish tries to make a comeback, its a little too late. So close to being exceptional, but just misses the mark.
Other Scores: SV 80
Bowmore 12yo Enigma
Whisky: Bowmore 12yo Enigma, 40%
R400 ≈ £36
Both ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks have been used in this whisky, and apparently it’s a “greater amount of fresh sherry casks” than most Bowmore bottlings. This travel retail expression is not to be confused with the regular Bowmore 12yo.
Nose: Sweet red apples, berries and overripe pineapple. A calm waft of smoke, the kind you get from burning moist leaves.
Taste: Thirst quenching stuff with the viscosity of water but just heavier on the palette with a hint of oiliness. The young sweetness of the nose has abated and somewhat richer stewed fruits remain. A half-squeeze of fresh lemon. Lulls the back of the tongue.
Finish: Traces of thick smoke, a touch of salt, and a lingering candy sweetness.
My Score: 81
I really like this dram. It has all the elements of a great whisky, just in smaller quantities. Simple and unpretentious, and the better (and delicious) for it. Easy drinking any night of the week.
Other Scores: JM’09 82, JH 82
Bowmore Darkest NAS
Whisky: Bowmore Darkest NAS, 43%
+R750 ≈ £67
I found this bottle at last year’s Joburg WhiskyLive Festival and haven’t seen another one since and I don’t expect to; in 2007 this expression was replaced by a 15yo Darkest. This whisky is from the famous No. 1 vaults of the Black Bowmore, with time spent in ex-Olorroso oak sherry casks.
Nose: Sweet, smokey flowers. Well worn leather. The sherry dances a beautiful duet with the gentler smoke. But with that said, there is still something not quite right here.
Taste: Quite soft on the palette with spice emerging quite strongly after a few seconds. A little watery. A mixture of red fruits and flowers. Drying.
Finish: A prolonged and very spicy finale. Slightly tingle inducing. Flavours linger.
My Score: 77
I really wish I liked this more. Make no mistakes it is a good whisky, I just wish it was a little better. There is just something lacking. If you see a bottle I would still suggest buying it, but rather to collect than to drink; the more traditional packaging and exquisite mahogany colour of this whisky make it more of a looker than a drinker.
Other Scores: MJ 90, JH 55, JM’09 85
Bowmore Surf NAS
Whisky: Bowmore Surf NAS, 40% ABV, 100cl
R330 ≈ £28
This is the entry-level expression in Bowmore’s exclusive Travel Retail range, although if you look you can find it for purchase online. I picked up this bottle in Joburg airport; for the low price and quantity I just couldn’t say no.
Nose: A fine nose of salty sea air, mild-peat without the reek, and a squeeze of lemon juice. The nose is fairly shy and takes some time to open up, and even then it keeps a softness about it.
Taste: Wafts of smoke, lemon remains, and notes of oak. Smooth and well-rounded on the palette. A little watery, but that can almost be expected from such a younger dram.
Finish: I find alcohol comes through here taking away some of the enjoyment. Otherwise it’s warming, longish and charming.
My Score: 79/100
This young Bowmore teenager is great value for money, albeit a little rough around the edges. I look forward to trying some of it’s older siblings.
Other Scores: Could not find any.
