Bowmore 10 Year Old Tempest

So far, every release of Tempest was good (ok, I have not tasted all of them). The first release has even become something of a collector’s item (yep, I have it in my collection too). Batch 6 will be released soon, but I am trying batch 3 today, bottled in 2011. This sample had been sitting on my desk for way too long.

The nose is fairly sweet and fresh, with loads of mint. The smoke is somewhat understated, to be honest. Only with the second whiff do I get some see air and lime. I also get some marzipan – rather unexpected. A drop of oyster sap versus coconut milk, something I did not detect in the other releases I have tried. In fact, it turns suspiciously sweet. White chocolate? Anyway, I quite like it. With water it becomes more creamy and more peaty. A good thing.

It is oily on the palate, but the sweetness now has to bow to the salt and smoke. Yep, the peat is very outspoken. The whisky is quite spicy. Citrus emerges, mint disappears. Boy, this is a powerful fellow. Diluted is becomes almost creamy and sweeter again, but I also get more peat. Well, more of everything, so what is not to like?

The finish is long with some medicinal touches. Citrus fruit at the death.

A bit less than the first release, but better than the fourth. All together, the Tempest remains a great Bowmore release.

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