AntonioSchmid
Bowmore 18 Year Deep & Complex
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
July 1, 2019 (edited June 4, 2020)
Chill filtered ..... ✔️
Lots of E150 ..... ✔️
43 abv .............. ✔️
Do I care? No!
Why? Read on...
I see a lot of whiskies around here being judged by this parameters when I think what really matters at the end is how it smells/tastes and specially how you like it.
Do I like this one? A lot!
This one has a lovely deep chestnut color (yes, E150, I know...) that happens to match the overall darker profile of the whisky, so no problem here.
The aroma is the highlight on this one, I could just pour a dram and keep smelling the glencairn for hours... There is a smoky peat/chocolate combo that assault your senses as soon as you put your nose into the glass, but soon after there is more, a lot of dark fruits join the party, specially figs, plums and ripe cherries, all covered by the smoked chocolate... Just yummy! 😋
The palate is also delicious, although a bit thin (my only complain here). You can feel the sweet PX influence and there is less peat and more spice than the nose suggest but something I can’t put my finger on just keeps me sipping over and over again, maybe the overall balance, maybe the finish, that is a lot smokier than the palate and a great surprise.
Anyhow, this one (imho) joins the likes of Lagavulin 16 and Dalmore 18 as a great whisky despite of the “flaws” early mentioned that all of them share.
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Nice review! I still prefer not having E150 - it's jist uneccessary. But as far as the ABV and the chill filtering, I agree with you completely - if it still tastes great after it's been chill filtered and proofed down, it's all good.
Good review and I agree with the sentiment. I loved the 18 year and would love to try this one. I have samples of 18 year The Vintner's Trilogy and The Devil's Casks III - Double The Devil which I'm really looking fwd to. :-)
@Generously_Paul 😂😂😂 Agreed with all you said before you got lost... 😉
There are some amazing whiskies out there that are only 40%. Low ABV, colorant and chill filtration are not a death sentence, but neither are they an indication of anything exciting. Copious amounts of colorant are shameful, but using it to even out batch variations is understandable, but not preferable. Chill filtration is understandable at lower ABV to prevent scotch mist, but is not necessary. Low ABV is fine for those that want to sit and drink without having to worry about burning out their palate with heat, but much flavor is lost. It’s all a balancing act that hinges on ones own tastes. I’ve lost track of what my point was...someone pour me something
@PBMichiganWolverine Thank you. 🙂Just remember this one is the Travel Retail and in my opinion it is a better whisky than the regular 18.
another staple that somehow escaped me. Need to try a pour. Great review