Bowmore 12 Year

GLASS: Glencairn Whiskey Glass NOSE: Beeswax and grassy notes blend with cinnamon and the sea with a fire in the distance. Some citrus too. A very nice nose. PALATE: Oily but pleasant mouthfeel. Well balanced orange, oak, smoke, spice and a hint of black tea. Well done. CONCLUSION: I'm an Islay guy so this is in my wheelhouse. That said, this is a good bridge to Islay Scotch for people who are new to it. The peat and smoke is more subtle than other Islays but it’s there.

Nose: creme brulee, salt water, brown sugar, banana, hint of smoke Taste: well balanced, smooth, light smoke, subdued spices Finish: quickly disappearing, some bitterness

Light smoke with a lovely sweetness of salted caramel and honey. Really enjoyable and a great entry to peated islay whisky.

I was nervous for this since I hate the 3yo that they put in Mcclelland's, but it isn't too bad. Nose is some sort of sweet bready note had reminds me of something, but I can't quite place it. There is also burnt sweet and fruit notes that hang around with the peat, malt, and brine notes. The palate is sweet, savory, and smokey with the sweetness starting as fruity but then developing into a sickly sweet. It's malty and a brine peaty still but the rotten like sweetness is just not my thing. The finish is respectable and my favorite part with the smoke and sweetness of a dries fruit lingering. I actually think it's a pretty complex dram and worth a try, but I just don't think Bowmore is down my alley of taste. On later visits I figured that what I don't like is the brine note similar to Laphroaig, but with the complimentary citrus and earth notes I enjoy changed to sweet ones.

very subtle nose with a peaty finish

Oak