Bowmore David Simpson Distillery Exclusive

Bowmore did some noise in 2020 with a distillery exclusive release, called David Simson. This very expensive expression, honours the founder of Islay's oldest distillery still working today. Bottled at 50.7%abv, this one has been matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry for at least 20 years. The color is a deep dark copper. Only 6.000 bottles were released. On the nose, it starts with ashes, gooseberries, skin lotion for burns.  Very maritime, thick lotion aroma. Some hazelnut and chocolate notes. Povidyn. Horse stables. This is the most "Bowmorish" aroma ever. It smells like a rodeo. Nutella. A creamy vanilla rised after the first sip. On the palate, it is definitively a bowmore. Saltiness, maritime and earthiness at the same time. Black pepper, ashes. The second sip was a little dim. Dark chocolate notes, smoke. Aftertaste is nice. Tasty ashy finish. Puffs of smoke that come and go without ever stopping. A pepper bomb in a pleasant way. The finish is quite sublime. Salty, ashy, with a nice bite. Overall, i really liked this expression, it is quite flavorful on tge aftertaste and it has a good nose. The palate was a little weak, and even if i consider this a very good whisky, it is not worth the amount of money shops are asking for it. The 50.7%abv failed to deliver more complex notes to the palate, and the sherriness is not super present if you were expecting that from an Oloroso and PX maturation. Even with all this things i have pointed out, this expression is still a very enjoyable whisky, and that is why i believe that it deserves a 90 over 100.

Exceptional expression of Bowmore. Sweet, rich nose with honey, vanilla, raisins, and a hint of sea spray, followed by a thick creamy palate with dark fruits, Christmas spices, and a soft, warming smokiness rounded off by 20 years in the cask. A long, drawn out finish makes it a near-perfect dram.