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Bowmore 12 Year Old

One of The Usual Suspects of smoke

0 588

@RantavahtiReview by @Rantavahti

12th Mar 2013

0

Bowmore 12 Year Old
  • Nose
    24
  • Taste
    21
  • Finish
    22
  • Balance
    21
  • Overall
    88

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I consider Bowmore 12 year old as one of the heavy boys when it comes to being smoky. But it is much more delicate than your usual Ardbegs or Laphroaigs. I guess it's more of an pal of Lagavulin. The first time I tasted Bowmore 12, I had already heard about it's potential smokiness. So even though it starts with gentle smoke, I kinda knew what was coming.

The same thing happened with the movie The Usual Suspects. It's a great movie with a nice twist at the end. For me the movie became a bit predictable because I saw it way too late. I had already heard about it's goodness and possible plot twists, even though my friends were kind enough not to spoil it for me. But when you're watching a movie and you know that something twisty is gonna happen, you start to look for it from every corner.

Both, Bowmore 12 and The Usual Suspects are great examples of their genre, starting off delicately and waiting for the big finish that gets you totally off guard. Well, not totally if you know what you're looking for. They both offer you sweet spots in the middle of darkness. That's why for me, Bowmore 12 year old became the Usual Suspect.

Nose: Pleasant is the right word for this sweet nose of citrus and orange combined with lots of peat and subtle smoke. Some floral notes as well.

Taste: The smoke is subtle. Warming honey , coastal element develops. Dark Peat. Blossom, oily sweetness.

Finish: The finish gets more smokier than the nose and taste. Dry, ashy and long finish with hints of citrus.

Balance: Sophisticated start that leads into intensively increasing smoke. Rich and consistent.

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5 comments

@ClanVidela
ClanVidela commented

Nice review, might give i a try though I usually prefers simple smooth whiskies instead of the firey ones.

11 years ago 0

@Rantavahti
Rantavahti commented

Thanks, that's nice to hear. I can only recommend this one for you!

11 years ago 0

@squidboy007
squidboy007 commented

Nice. As a fan of smoky islay, I'll have to pick this up. Have you tried the no-age-mark "legend" series Bowmore released? (If you have, is it also suitably smoky?)

11 years ago 0

@Rantavahti
Rantavahti commented

Unfortunately this is the only one I've tasted from the Bowmore range so far. Haven't heard much bad things about the Legend but Bowmore 12 years Enigma wasn't anything special according to few of my Finnish whisky friends.

11 years ago 0

@tjb
tjb commented

Good review, i am an Islay fan yet to try Bowmore

11 years ago 0