Bowmore 15 Year Old - Darkest

Bowmore's 15 year old in a proper first fill dark sherry cask. Shame that its only bottled at 43% ABV, i think Bowmore could have done a bit better there, but let that not detract from a thoroughly positive review

Colour: Deep red copper

• Nose: light maritime character, with salt and phenol, peat would be a little generous, rich, dense, chocolate raisin with a hint of smoke. With water buttery note really comes through and drowns out the rest but faint chocolate remains

• Pallet: medium in texture, slightly chewy, sweet, turning maritime again, light hint of buttery sherry with gentle gentle spices and more raisin. With water butter again, but not as dominant, more of a very rich sherry, less maritime character however,

• Finish: warming to the heart, a nice full waft of smoke with medium dark chocolate and a neat dry finish. With water thick, fat overall less complex, sherry comes through more, smoke is lurking around but doesn’t get much of a look in

• Mark neat: 8.7/10. With water: 8/10

Its rare (i find) that a whisky is better without water, but i suppose the exception proves the rule

it you want a taste of what lies beneath all the fire and brimstone of islay whiskies, while still keeping enough of the maritime character; this is a good way to go for me.

Scores below are for the neat version

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