Bowmore Vault Edition First Release – Atlantic Sea Salt
“The Vault Editions from Bowmore is a four-part series of whiskies that highlight one characteristic of the distillery’s style. The first release is named Atlantic Sea Salt and focuses on Bowmore’s maritime style, while displaying its classic smoky and fruity nature.”
Region: Islay
ABV: 51.5%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Colour: Straw
Nose: Vanilla, cherry, cotton candy, earthy peat, wood smoke, brine, tissue paper, crystallised honey, hint of citrus peel.
Palate: Vanilla, cherry, apple, pear, sweet malt biscuit, salt, earthy.
Finish: Medium+ finish, sweet peat, salted caramel.
Score: 85/100
Bowmore apparently is discontinuing (or already discontinued?) their age-stated Tempest and Laimrig release. This is their follow up, not as salty as the name would suggest but rather well balanced, with nice complexity and very oily and smooth on the palate. On the sweet side, with loads of vanilla and fruits, can tell lots of first-fill bourbon cask used here. Rather pleasant, but I prefer the Laimrig 15 over this.