Bowmore 10 Year Old 2001 Creative Whisky Company

David Stirk’s Creative Whisky Company comprises three ranges, including the Exclusive Casks, consisting of single malts that received an extra finish in a special cask before being bottled at cask strength. In this case, it is a young Bowmore finished on a PX sherry cask. Pedro Ximenez is often considered to be the King of Sherry. I wonder what it has done with this Ileach.

On the nose I get the obligatory coastal traits (salt, seaweeds and even some grilled scallops), a perfect dose of peat and wonderful sweet tones of dried fruit. Prunes, but also figs and the like. And dark chocolate, dry sherry and caramelized oranges. A spoonful of candid sugar, quite a bit of butterscotch and mildly spiced with nutmeg. Nice balance.

On the palate, which is feisty and creamy, it is the sweet side that takes the lead. Again dried and candid fruit (primarily oranges) and a truckload of caramel and brown sugar. The PX is overpowering the Bowmore a bit, but this is not criticism.

I get some hints of cappuccino, with whipped cream, in the sweet and lingering finish.

This is a very decent dessert dram, quite complex of its age. I could do with a good cigar when enjoying this (something I do not often do).

Find where to buy Bowmore whisky