Bowmore SMWS 3.225 - Galleon Attacked by Pirates

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society – aka SMWS – has quite a few Bowmore bottlings on its curriculum as can be deduced from the number of this one. This 2014 release was nicknamed ‘Galleon Attacked by Pirates’. I wonder where they get these names?

Oh, my, what a surprising nose! Wonderfully sweet and salty on dark chocolate, Guinness (that’s a first!), sniffing tobacco, fish soup, sweet peat and yesterday’s barbecue. A mild smokiness in the background. Cold coffee. Smoldering wood. Hint of rum! Aniseed and some cinnamon. Boy, oh boy, this is a complex and truly enticing nose!

Despite the high ABV it is surprisingly soft on the palate. Immediately dark and sweet, the sometimes difficult but oh so beautiful combination of sherry and peat. It evolves from wonderfully umami to salty, sweet and back. Midpalate the Guinness returns. What a weird association, but there you have it. Rich and round. Wonderful smokiness.

In the nice, long and warm finish, I am reminded of a good cup of origin coffee with some minty chocolates.

It was a winner from the first whiff. It could hardly go wrong. It did not. Fantastic Bowmore. Thanks, Gert.

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