Bowmore 12yo...

Bowmore 12yo (40.0%): We had a fantastic time at Go! Whisk(e)y hosted by Julio's Liquor this week. I had the chance to see so many old friends and meet a bunch of new whisky people throughout the weekend. But I have to say that the seminars on Saturday were absolutely the highlights of the whole marathon. Later in the afternoon that day Gardner Dunn and Simon Brooking led a fantastic event called "Japan vs. Scotland". We blind tasted almost all the 12yo products of Beam Suntory line-up and Bowmore 12yo was one of them. At the end of the day when I was driving back home I found myself thinking how much I actually like and appreciate the classic Bowmore 12yo. When I arrived home I dug the wee bottle I had for a while and placed it on my desk before I went to sleep. Today I will enjoy sipping it, write a few lines about it and share them with you. Bowmore is the oldest distillery on Islay dating back to 1779 and produces 2 million liters of spirit per year. Color: Medium amber, orange blossom honey with visible legs on the glass. Nose: Ocean spray, wet beach sand and fresh lemon slices. Sun dried hay, coal dust and diesel fuel. Salted butter, glossy photo paper and unstruck matches. Funny, I remember the distillery smelling exactly the same. Palate: Thin heather honey, vanilla and green asparagus. Peat stays at the background. Thick magazine covers and tea towels (no idea how that image appeared in front of my eyes, but...). Sweet soot and some young grain whisky notes. Finish: Medium long and dry with green banana peppers, lemon zest, char and olive brine. Overall: I would be a regular if they had a cask strength version of this expression or if it was bottled at least at 46%. Balanced, easy to drink, not edgy, very pleasant but lacks in texture to be honest. Perfect every day dram and definitely a classic to visit back over and over again... Always a good idea to keep a bottle at home.

Bowmore Distillery, November 2009

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