Bowmore 15 Year

Beat scotch for the price out there.

Another one that makes me wish Distiller allowed half-stars. This whisky ain't a three, but it's not quite a four; it suffers from many of the flaws of its younger sibling (a faintly synthetic character, weak integration of flavours, gratuitous artificial colouring), but nevertheless manages to be an enjoyable drink. Nose of smoke (BBQ pulled pork), lemon zest, molasses, strawberries and blueberries. Slight red wine acidity or tartness. A touch leafy, herbal, perhaps some tobacco leaf. Body is nice and full (considering the proof), though a bit hot. Red wine sweetness--berries, some orchard fruits--and then a blast of that generic Bowmore smoke (not peaty, not campfire-y, just . . . smoke; like it was created in a lab). A bit of lemon zest (a note shared with the 12 Year Old), a touch of dark chocolate, some grape skins. Sweet turning to dry, with a bit of a smoke-and-mothballs finish--slightly meaty, somewhat woody.The sherry finish and the smoke here aren't super well-integrated, and that's a weakness of the whisky overall. The smell of this stuff is quite lovely, but the taste is a bit all-over-the-map--it doesn't know whether it wants to lead with the fruit or lead with the smoke. A decent value for what you're getting (there just aren't too many affordable sherried Islays), but ultimately nothing to write home about.