Bowmore Mariner 15 yo Glass Printed Label

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Casks and Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in the earley 1990s

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

The Bowmore Mariner is a historic Bowmore expression. First appearing in the 1990s, it was then reserved for Travel Retail in 2007, when the 15 yo Darkest appeared. It was discontinued in 2014, and replaced by the short-lived 17 yo White Sands. This is Bowmore's old style, where the Sherry is fairly sparse, and the maritime character emphasised. The sample I was lucky enough to taste came from one of the expression's oldest bottles, the ones where the label is printed directly on the bottle. It dates from the late 90s, or the very early 2000s. The whisky inside was distilled in the mid-1980s, during the famous period of 'French Whore Perfume', usually abbreviated to FWP, when floral aromas of violet and lavender invaded the distillate, apparently due to a yeast problem. So it's a fine piece of history that I'm going to savour.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nice iodised freshness with floral hints. You can smell the violet and lavender, but this time it's not unpleasant. It's a bit chemical, but the iodine balances it out. Peat a bit heavy, but discreet. Sea spray, icing sugar. Mint to freshen the breath. Herbaceous at the end, a touch of liquorice. Light and slightly peppery on the palate. Again, it balances out after a while, with a slight bitterness, grapefruit, asparagus, spinach, vanilla in the background. Light but fairly long finish, still bitter, drying, kola nut, woody, chestnut, chocolate.

 

In Short, 

It's no coincidence that the bottlings of that era didn't have a very good reputation. FWP is often thought of as a bit like toilet deodorant, but that's not really the case here, thanks to the iodine that hides the less pleasant scents and balances everything out. What is less pleasant, however, is the lingering bitterness on the palate and in the finish. What's more, it's a little too herbaceous. This bottle comes from a time when whisky was less famous, much cheaper too, and the quality was lower. It's also true that the bottle from which the sample I was generously offered came must have been opened a very long time ago, and the taste qualities must have been altered. All in all, it's not great. Some people think this Mariner is excellent, or so they say, perhaps to brag about having access to such rare bottles, or simply to boost the value of the ones they've bought. But some of them are sincere, I've met them. As for me, I still prefer a simple dram of Legend, and then it's cheaper. These bottles from the 90s now cost an arm and a leg, and are pure collectors' items, not really for tasting. It's better to keep them closed, because the liquid inside isn't that good, in my opinion. On the other hand, the bottles are magnificent.

Score : 81 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Queensryche - Silent Lucidity