Last in our Bowmore travel trilogy was the 17 year “White Sands.”
I’d picked this bottle up in Singapore duty free back when it was 1st launched. It was one of my “speed date” sample that lead to a clear “buy” decision! And since then I’ve been patiently waiting to open the bottle with our Whisky Ladies.
Bowmore 17 year White Sands 43%
- Nose – Rich vanilla, citrus orange, honey almonds, very floral, raspberry treacle, light peat smoke, chocolate coffee then cotton candy
- Palate – Spices, light creamy toffee, cloves, quite a delicious curl of peat, nice and chewy without being heavy, smooth as silk
- Finish – A long lingering sweet spice with a bitter cinnamon tail
And what did the Whisky Ladies really think?? We LOVED it!
We found it was one of those whiskies that says – “Pull up a nice comfy chair, curl up and pay attention to me. Trust me, you absolutely will not regret!”
There is something quite sophisticated about this whisky. One mentioned ballgowns and tuxedos about to take a twirl on the dance floor…. that spins into a seduction!
For others it was just nice to settle down with an amiable whisky with multiple dimensions. The nose especially has such a lovely range of aromas, it is delicious to sip and savour, with a surprisingly long finish. In short – ticks the right boxes!
Here is what the Bowmore folks have to say about this whisky:
Islay’s coast line boasts seven miles of pristine white beaches and has been the inspiration for White Sands. Matured for seventeen long years, this is Bowmore Master Distiller’s personal favourite. Matured in the finest ex Bourbon casks, the treacle toffee and ripe exotic fruits bound together by warm peat smoke.
- Nose: Light peat smoke, rich treacle toffee and ripe exotic fruits
- Taste: Creamy toffee and malty sweetness, together with a delicious warm smokiness
- Finish: The incredibly smooth, warm and comforting finish
In this case, we would agree with the tasting notes… and of the three whiskies, there was zero doubt which was our favourite! In terms of the three, Black Rock is the most readily available. While not a bad whisky, it unfortunately is outclassed by the other two. Gold Reef may be slightly more challenging to find. And White Sands? Excellent value for a beautifully balanced whisky with enough character to keep you well engaged! It is certainly one to recommend to those who enjoy their whisky with a bit of smoky sweetness.
So while it was long after the initial launch, it was still fun to explore the Bowmore ‘travel trilogy‘:
- Black Rock 40% & Revisit
- Gold Reef 43%
- 17 Year White Sands 43% (this post)
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