We closed our evening with an Islay dram from Bowmore! These days, having an OB (official bottling) and “adult” whisky above 18 years is a bit of a rarity for me in a home tasting which tend to be No Age Statements til early teens. Make it an Islay and woah?! What’s going on here folks?

It also has been some time since I sat down properly with a Bowmore, so this was indeed a treat to finish off a rather enjoyable evening in Nurnberg with a theme of “Bring your bottle!”

Bowmore 18 year Oloroso Cask WB146494 43%

• Nose – Peat and sweet and how! Nothing shy about this one! All the lovely sherry dark stewed fruits and swirl of peat, was joined by leather and tobacco – delicious!
• Palate – Equally powerful on the palate, yet balanced with a complex maturity, the plummy fruits rollled about with a gentle smoke, jammy and mouth-watering
• Finish – Nicely carries through

Don’t laugh, but my first notes were “Why hello! I am indeed a Bowmore. And welcome back!” It was a classic Bowmore and also a great reminder of exactly what one would expect from this distillery. After so many drams that evening, this was a perfect powerful close – even at a mere 43%. A very good choice!

The official tasting notes may be brief but work for us!

• Breathe In: Creamy caramel toffee, with ripe fruit and smoke aromas
• Sip: Incredibly complex, with beautiful soft fruit and chocolate balanced with a light smokiness
• Savour: The long and wonderfully balanced finish

And there you have it! A quick tour through some of the interesting drams experienced in a September evening in Nurnberg?

• Knockando 18 year (1996) Sherry 43%
• Glenfarclas (2004/2017) Sherry Casks 59.4%
• The Hearach HE 00009 24 46%

As for more brushes with Bowmore? Read on!

• 12 Year 40%
• 12 year (1970s) 40%
• 15 Year Laimrig 54.4%
• 15 year (2001/2018) Sherry Cask #108 55.3% (LMdW Artist #8)
• 16 year “The Prestonfield” Vintage 1972 (1972/1988), CS No 1036-39 43%
• 17 Year White Sands 43% WL
• 20+ year (2001/2022) 1st Fill Sherry Butt No 102 54.8% (LMdW Artist Collection #12) 
• 21 year Port Cask Matured (1988) 51.5%
• 27 year, Batch 5, 47.6% (TBWC)
• 1989 “BBQ Mango Salsa” 46% (Wymess)
• Black Rock 40% WL
• Gold Reef 43% + Aug’17

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