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Bowmore 15 Year Old Laimrig batch 3

Islay done right

0 788

@PandemoniumReview by @Pandemonium

24th Nov 2015

0

  • Nose
    22
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    21
  • Balance
    22
  • Overall
    88

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Peat and sherry, the salt and tabasco of whisky. As powerful flavour agents they often determine the direction of our single malts. Ranging from enhancer to the dominant force of our single malts, we all certainly love one of their phenotypes.

But designing a dram that encompasses both to the fullest of their merit can be quite tricky. You'll need to create a perfectly balanced combination of rich, bold, and phenolic tastes. The Lagavulin Distillers‘ edition and Ardbeg Uigeadail know well how to fine-tune the two to a foolproof equilibrium, but there’s another Islay contender from the shores of Loch Indaal. And I ain’t talking about Bruichladdich.

Description: Batch 3, matured for 14 years in an ex-bourbon cask, finished in a Spanish Oak Sherry butt, bottled in 2012 at 53.7% cask strength.

Nose: a saline kick-off: salt crusts and seaweed. Notes of polished leather, earthy peat, soft pear juice, gunpowder and a touch of Fisherman’s Friend. In time the dram turns more subtle and fruity, displaying aromas of sherry and fresh sultanas.

Mouth: a rich body with a warm and fairly intense peppery burst on the palate. Some tar, peat, a drop of sherry, dried plums and salty liquorice, with an overall clear influence of the wood.

Finish: long, ending on a note of tobacco smoke, black pepper, cinnamon.

Verdict: underneath all that peat smoke lies a mature whisky that wears its sherry finish like an armour. What a dram and what a blast. Only €77 at the local shop, so it comes reasonably priced. Makes you wonder why it gets so little acclaim. I can’t stress this enough: if you don’t know which OB Bowmore to buy, Laimrig is the one.

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7 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

So far this is the only Bowmore that I've enjoyed, though my experience is with the batch 2. Perhaps I should open my batch 3 and do a comparison.

8 years ago 0

@Pandemonium
Pandemonium commented

I've had some great indy Bowmores. But I'll admit, the low end official bottles like the Legend and the various travel retail exclusives are not great either

8 years ago 0

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

I've just cracked a bottle of Bowmore 10 year old Tempest, the 6th edition, and I'm liking it a lot. I agree, though, that the Laimrig is the class of the line. I wish we could get it in BC.

8 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

Great review. One of my favorite Bowmores. Love it when sherry and peat are done right!

8 years ago 0

@Pandemonium
Pandemonium commented

Thanks BlueNote and MaltActivist

8 years ago 0

@Pierre_W
Pierre_W commented

Laimrig is my favourite expression within the current Bowmore range, by far. All a matter of taste, of course, but in my opinion they got this one right, and it can even hold its own against the Devil's Cask releases. Great review, @Pandemonium, almost felt myself transported back to Islay!

8 years ago 0

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