Review #024 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 15 years, ex-bourbon maturation and finished for three years in oloroso sherry casks Tasted after: Bowmore 12 Year Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs form quickly. Nose: 17/20 Oranges, raisins, apricots, vanilla, and a hint of cedar layered in also. Palate: 34/40 Comes out swinging with bold baking spices and black pepper to start, quickly fades to a fruity sweetness of plumbs and black currents, maybe some dark chocolate also. The smoke is subtle and ever present in the background throughout. Finish: 34/40 Nice long finish. It commences with a second round of spiciness, different though and more akin to oak spice, maybe ginger also. A prevailing ashiness morphs into chalk and then to salty campfire smoke. With Water: A drop of water really dials back all the spice flavors I tasted, it helps the sweet fruitiness shine through but makes it a little too one-dimensional. Total: 85/100 Final thoughts: Big jump in complexity over the 12 year, but it’s a shame that it’s chill filtered and artificially colored. I imagine this could be fantastic at a slightly higher proof and with all the natural oils intact. Price: taste from a friend’s bottle Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.