Tastes

“Lightly peaked” - the smoke comes through on the nose. Rich toffee and dark fruits on the palate. Toffee apple and popcorn. A pleasing, long and sweet finish. Well-rounded considering it’s youth.

This packs a punch for something so young! Surprisingly wood-led on the nose, the palate is a burst of floral sweetness and pepper, with limey citrus and a lasting finish

2021 expression of this budget malt, aged according to the for 3 years in “oak barrels”. It’s colour bears no relation to a spirit of that age, with a rich amber pour characteristic of a dram with added caramel colouring. The profile is typically Islay: sweet peat smoke, toffee and brine on the nose; this develops on the palate with more seaweed and saltiness. Less aggressive than those from the south coast, whisper it quietly but is this a young Bowmore? Compared to drams of similar provenance, there’s little in the way of ‘burn’ or chemical aftertaste. Not shabby given the price.

This really is an excellent dram. An amber pour, with sherried oak on the nose. Plum and dried fruit dominate a pleasing mouthfeel and a lasting sweet finish.

Just below the shoulder and a week after opening. Paired with fruit and nut chocolate tonight. Salty, meaty and warm. Spectacular value on offer at £28.

TCP, pink plasters and wisps of smoke on the nose. The medicinal notes dwell on the palate with a salty tang and build to a smoky, peaty and satisfying finish with lasting ash and smoke.

Halfway down open bottle. Batch 20 / 273, vatting of 82 casks with plenty of French wine oak at least 7 years old (newest spirit 2013, bottled in 2020). Lots of lemon, fruit cake and a hint of sweet Sherry to finish.

Honeyed, fresh, fragrant. A sweet vanilla finish. An easy, drinkable and light, summery dram.

Lovely lemony yellow pour. Wood fire in a warm country pub on the nose. Smoked salmon. Lemon curd. Smoked kippers on the palate. Salt. A very gentle, meaty smoke. Juniper. Subtle, gentle and Scandinavian. Absolutely superb!

Amber pour. Lingonberry and strawberry on the nose. Hints of smoke. Chestnuts and toasted almond at first, then cranberries. A rich, creamy Black Forest gateaux. Werther’s Originals.