Jose-Massu-Espinel
Bowmore Darkest 15 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
April 12, 2020 (edited July 22, 2020)
When i had the Bowmore 12, i was dissapointed. Everybody talks about how good Bowmore is, but 12 yo didn't live up to that expectation for me. I have now tried the 15yo Darkest and i have the feeling that it is better than the 12yo but lacks of some things to make it a great whisky.
Bottled at 43%abv it has a beautiful mahogany color.
On the nose is Spectacular. Its aroma is one of the best i have perceived in a dram. Perfumed Peat, almonds, prunes and toffee in a beautiful way.
I got excited about it and then when i tasted it, it brought me down. starts like water, to change into a nice Tobacco Flavor, then gets hot but not too much, a little bit oaky and malty. Light bodied, finish is medium with not much flavor on it. (nevertheless i just added 0.6 points to the score because i just felt more chewable tobacco while writting this, 5 minutes after i drank the whole thing). Nothing special here, no peat on the palate, it just doesn't feel that much "Islay".
I pour 2 drops of water on it. Other things appeared but not to change the score. On the nose: chocolate and some spices. On the palate: Ginger, bitter chocolate, caramel and more tobacco.
Now i have had 2 bowmore, not impressing me at all so far. The hype is not real, at least not yet. I have the 18 yo waiting, hope to find something better there. 76 over a 100; 3.75 if you prefer that score.
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@kyle_brady Yes, Tempest is/was a very good expression, but I've not seen it over here for a couple of years. It was unusually bright and crisp for a Bowmore, with a nice salty touch. Great dram.
@cascode good call on Cask Strength + Bourbon matured...the 10-year-old Tempest at CS is quite excellent, while the 12 and 15 are unremarkable and even the 18 falls far short of its Islay brethren imo. Bowmore seems hyped due to legendary mid-20th century bottles as opposed to anything they’ve put out recently
The 18 year is a considerably better dram to the 12 and 15. My rule of thumb is that Bowmore has to be either old and sherried, or cask-strength and bourbon matured. FWIW this 15 year is one of the few whiskies I cannot abide - but that's just my taste.