Bowmore 12
Tangy Peat
2 383
Review by @RianC
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall83
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Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Bowmore
- ABV: 40%
I recently bought a little pack of mini Bowmores including the 12, 15 and 18. I had never tried any Bowmore until now but the general impression I get is that it's a distillery that, perhaps, doesn't make the most out of their OBs.
So how is the standard 12? Review is neat.
Nose - Fairly quiet in the Glencairn but there's some tangy and ashy peat smoke, a little floral honey and a mild lemon note. There's also a note that I've come across before in some malts that I'd best describe as damp cardboard. It's not awful but it dominates the nose more than I'd like - packaging contaminaton, maybe?
Taste - Definitely a little thin on the palate but more of that floral honey, malt and then a very pleasing tang, or nip, if you will, of peat develops with some smoke at the tail. It's pleasant enough.
Finish - Some fairly bitter tannins and more of that lovely tang hangs around with some lemon peel.
A tiny drop of water does dampen the cardboard note and increases the ashy note. I also get a little caramel on the nose and palate. Probably an improvement.
As much as I want to 'go my own way' with this one I find I'm leaning to the consensus that there is a very decent malt in here somewhere but its presentation seems to be holding it back. That said, it's a light, peaty and rounded malt that seems pretty inoffensive and is certainly drinkable. I particularly like that tang of peat on the tongue that's reminiscent of a good bottle of JW Black.
Nice review. I think the frustration I have with Bowmore is that they have the capacity to produce fantastic stuff. Tempest, Laimrig, Devil's cask, all strong contestants. But then to come at us with these impotent expressions and charge a whole lot for the older ones! It defies logic and reason.