Bowmore Black Rock

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay 

1st Fill Ex-Spanish Sherry and Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Travel Retail Edition 

Single Malt 

Edited in 2014

Peated around 25 ppm

Bowmore has always produced a large number of bottlings for its Travel Retail editions. It's a mixed bag. In general, sherry predominates. No exception here, with this no-age Black Rock, matured in Spanish sherry casks and packed in one-litre bottles. Production was quickly discontinued, probably around 2017.

Let's Taste It : 

Nose of walnut and apricot, a wisp of smoke, but it's light. Iron filings, coarse sea salt. The fruits come through, peach, prune, a few grapes. Unfortunately, it lacks intensity. At the end, some hints of rather oily peat. On the palate, it's watery, with just a trace of herbs and vague spices, paprika, turmeric and a pinch of pepper. These become stronger, without being convincing. A knob of butter. Unripe banana. On the other hand, the finish is decent, admittedly not very long, but tasty, with hints of grilled steak and wood charcoal. Pleasing.

 

In Short, 

The nose is pleasant, the palate is really borderline, and the finish is acceptable. Overall, this is not a great whisky. There are no flaws, but it is inconsistent. It lacks flavour. It's bland. I don't see the point in producing this, Bowmore has the means to do better, even with its lowest standards.

Score : 81 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Sofiane Pamart - Love