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Bowmore Legend

Legendarily Terrible

0 650

mReview by @masterj

26th Dec 2012

0

Bowmore Legend
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I'm a person who enjoys a good Islay dram. Ardbeg, Lagavulin,etc..all produce fine malts. This was my first experience with Bowmore and will probably be the last. I have never encountered in my adventures, a more foul tasting dram than this. Really, shockingly bad. I bought it two years ago at Bevmo for $25. Revisiting it tonight, I am reminded of why this bottle is almost intact and wonder why it's still even in my cabinet.

Nose: Peat, Smoke, Medicinal, Bog, Salty, Petrol, Gasoline, Iodine.

Taste: I don't know how to describe this in more gentle terms so I'll just have at it. Like chewing on rotting plant matter, not to mention the salt is overbearing. If you like gargling (and drinking) salt water this is for you. As if that isn't bad enough these two tastes are followed by a hard metallic note that hits right at the back of the mouth. If you ever smelled rusting copper this is exactly how this tastes.

Finish: A hard swallow. By this I mean it's a pain to even get it down. The finish is Salty, extremely Petrol, Medicinal, Iodine, Smoke.

Really, to think this is only $25 might sound like a positive, but for $25 I could of bought perhaps a Glenlivet 12 at K&L. Nothing more to add Bowmore Legend, what an unfitting title.

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6 comments

@valuewhisky
valuewhisky commented

I had two drams from my bottle of Legend and then drained the rest; felt about the same as you. Just an FYI though: I later tried Bowmore 12 and it was totally different - quite good actually. If you can try a better Bowmore sometime, go for it.

11 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

FYI, two years, if the bottle had been opened, is more than enough time for a bottle of young Bowmore to go totally off. I don't consider Bowmore Legend to be high art, either, but this may also have been a lot better drink two years ago.

11 years ago 0

@CPTFELZ
CPTFELZ commented

Interesting review, indeed. I got an already opened bottle (don't know how long) of this one from my grandma, tried it and felt the same like you. Tested terribly. But as I did not know how long it was open, I decided to buy a sample of this one again and give it another try. I didn't have time to do so by now, but reading your review and valuewhisky's comment, I am afraid my mind won't change.

11 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

There is something about these young Bowmores that a lot of people can't stand. I know @JeffC greatly dislikes the 'leathery' note in them, especially in the McClelland's Islay. The Bowmore Legend is not far different from the McClelland's. That particular note doesn't bother me personally, which I guess is a benefit to me in being able to drink them and get some enjoyment from them. I notice that Mr. Murray thinks more highly of the young Bowmores than do most Connosrs. Taste is individual.

11 years ago 0

m
masterj commented

@CPTFELZ I'll be tasting this once again soon. Just to get to the bottom of this. Slightly discourage by your comment. @Victor In my experience a bottle has only changes when I've drunk a significant part of it. This is still around 85% full. However, it is a valid point. Maybe the angels where greedy and took more than their share this time. I'll be reevaluating this one. I also agree with your last comment. Taste is an individual preference. Some people are still scratching their heads and wondering how Murray gave Thomas Handy the world whisky award.

11 years ago 0

@GBrough
GBrough commented

Also remember bowmore is aged on a seashore warehouse below sea level, the legend is the youngest and therefore will have a stronger saltiness and be much more maritime than the 12. Still for 30 bucks i see this as being a good introductory islay for someone who does not know what good whisky is. As for me i know good islay, but this weekend we are going to a cabin and bowmore legends or bowmore 12 is on my list.

10 years ago 0