Bowmore 18 Year Old
Region: Islay
ABV: 43%
E150: Yes
Chill-filtered: Yes
Container: Glencairn Neat
Colour: Amber
Nose: Caramel, brine, raspberry, light peat, citrus, floral, creamy corn.
Palate: Peat, oak, vanilla, creamy corn, light ash, red fruits, touch mineral.
Finish: Short finish, oak, earth, mineral water, cough syrup, touch of spice.
Score: 80/100
Surprisingly decent, had the 12 before and wasn’t a fan. Although I enjoy their Tempest and Laimrig. The finish is definitely the weak point, just as I was about to detect more flavour, it just disappears all together. I blame the 43% ABV.
Bowmore 18 Year Old 1997 (SMWS 3.270 “Surf ‘n turf in a camel’s saddle bag”)
Region: Islay
ABV: 55.8%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask type: Refill Sherry Butt
Container: Glencairn Neat
Colour: Amber
Nose: Strawberry, raisins, Chinese plum sauce, caramel, ash, faint rubber, leather, cocoa.
Palate: Ash, peat, black tea, ginger, caramel, apple skin, plums.
Finish: Long finish, smoke, oak, baking spice, red fruits, touch of mineral during in the end.
Score: 87/100
Rather different from the Bowmore I’ve tried, the sherry cask is shining through, while maintaining balance with the ashy peat, sweetness along with ash and spice. Looking forward to try out more Bowmore IB in the future!
Not a fair game for the OB 18 Year Old, the 3.270 is miles ahead in terms of complexity and presentation, probably should’ve reviewed them separately.