Bowmore 1997 NS Cask Series 015 10th Anniversary Sansibar 24 yo

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By North Star Spirits

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

I’ve always said that I’m very interested in North Star Spirits, this bottler founded in 2016 in Glasgow by Iain Croucher, but I’ve just realised that this is only the second product I’ve tasted from their warehouses. It’s true, though, that they’re a bit of a hidden gem and don’t make many appearances at whisky fairs. At the same time, they don’t need to, as their reputation is second to none. Here we have a 24-year-old Bowmore matured in a refill sherry cask, 326 bottles have hit the shelves. Sherry-cask Bowmores are rarer these days, this one is here to show us just how much of a shame that is. It was released to pay tribute to another bottler, a German one, Sansibar, which was celebrating its 10th anniversary at the time. Now that North Star Spirits is also 10 years old, I hope Sansibar returns the favour. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Monstrously balanced sherry, with a touch of ash and charcoal, intoxicating smoke, crushed red fruits, a hint of fermentation, cherries, blueberries, visciole, varnished mahogany, raisins and acacia honey. Slight medicinal and mineral notes. Bay leaf, tannins. On the palate, it is almost viscous, syrupy, amarena, fiery spices, apricot stones, orange marmalade, lemon zest, lychees. The finish is quite oaky, powerful, flint, smoky bark, slices of grapefruit, chunks of granite, baked apples, cinnamon, coffee grounds. Black and damp earth, mushrooms.

 

In Short, 

I have a friend who told me that Bowmore whiskies matured in sherry casks shouldn’t even exist, he really ought to try this one, where the sherry brings out some distinctive characteristics of the distillery. The smoke and charcoal become more pronounced, the oak even more elegant, the herbaceous notes more pronounced, and the fruit is balanced by delicate mineral notes. It’s truly top-class. Although it was released nearly five years ago, you can still find it here and there at a prohibitive price, but perhaps die-hard fans will find a way to get their hands on it, and they won’t regret it. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                              To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Grace Cummings - Fake

Bowmore 2001 The Character of Islay Whisky Company 18 yo c. 11714

 

 

 

55,4°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By The Character of Islay Whisky Company 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

This independent bottler’s existence was short-lived, four years at most, but each of its releases is legendary. This is particularly true of the Bowmore whiskies, which alone account for a third of the company’s production. This 18-year-old whisky was matured in a single refill bourbon cask, with a total of 184 bottles produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Iridescent iodine, sculpted limestone, with a lovely sea breeze, seaweed and exotic fruits. Dried hay, very fine and light peat, marine character, accompanied by oysters and razor clams. A very subtle trace of vanilla. Damp rock, sea foam, surf. Grapefruit and pineapple. On the palate, the fruit is more pronounced, citrus, banana, yellow plums, white peaches, but the maritime character remains strong, scallops, mussels, a few spices, varnished wood. The finish is long and gradually builds in intensity, lime zest, bamboo, nutmeg, dried tobacco, lumps of charcoal, beach sand, a pinch of bitterness.

 

In Short, 

It’s obviously excellent, and I’m actually convinced that it’s thanks to bottlings like this that Bowmore has once again become a leading distillery. It used to rely too heavily on original casks, sherry, wines of all kinds, and people had forgotten the quality of its spirit. In my view, it was this company that released these Bowmores in simple refill bourbon casks and restored the distillery to its former glory. That said, the price is still high for what it is, making it suitable only for die-hard fans and the very wealthy. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                     Milton Andersen - Lilac Flowers

Bowmore 22 yo Living Souls

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

1st Fill Bourbon Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Living Souls 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 25 ppm 

 

 

 

Living Souls is an independent bottler based in Glasgow, it has apparently been in existence since the 2010s, but it is only since 2024 that it has been flooding the market with a variety of bottlings. This one is one of its most renowned, as a 22-year-old Bowmore is not something you come across everywhere. All the more so as the maturation process has preserved the character of the distillate. However, what is unusual is that it is neither vintage nor a single cask, though this does not necessarily affect the quality of the product. Although one website states that it is cask strength, others do not specify this, so I assume it is not. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :   

The nose is very clean, with a light sea breeze, subtle notes of iodine and sleet, pebbles on the beach, then exotic fruits emerge. Pineapple, banana, papaya, and of course a generous zest of lemon. Chalky peat in the background, layers of gypsum and salt crystals. On the palate, scallops, small oysters, razor clams, whelks and other shellfish, with a delicate touch of Bourbon, vanilla and lychees. Spices are clearly present, but not strong. A very controlled and very long finish, where honey dances with limestone, mirabelle plums with basalt, dried herbs, sap-filled wood, resin and a very slight bitterness. Nutmeg. More seafood.

 

In Short, 

Personally, I really liked it, it’s a perfect Bowmore, as good as it can be at this age, with everything you’d expect from it. It has a distinct maritime character, with barely perceptible peat, great delicacy overall, and generous fruit notes. The price is, of course, a little high, but lower than it was a while ago for this distillery. I’d recommend buying it if you can afford it. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Aisha Vaughan - The Water

Bowmore 2010 Milroy's 15 yo

 

 

 

53,7°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay 

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Milroy's of Soho

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

Right now, there are a number of independent bottlings from Bowmore on the market, at much more attractive prices than in recent years. Notably this one, aged 15 years, 7 months, and 24 days, which was matured in a single Bourbon barrel that must have allowed the distillate to truly blossom. Milroy’s of Soho is a long-established company, dating back to the 1960s, and it produces only a small number of bottlings each year. This time, it has partnered with The Whisky Agency to launch this Bowmore, which will thus be showcased to its fullest potential. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Creamy nose, lemon pulp, pastry cream, a shovelful of iodine and seaweed, grapefruit, fluffy peat, gravel, a dash of vanilla and pineapple, half-burnt dry hay. Molasses. It’s rustic, almost country-style, Gavottes and coastal notes. On the palate, the citrus is just as prominent, with a peaty undertone, slightly woody, pulpy plums, syrupy bananas, crumbs of charcoal, fairly subtle spices. A very long finish that evolves slowly, lemon tart, shortbread cookies, lime zest, asparagus, a pinch of salt. Volcanic soil full of minerals.

 

In Short, 

I’m slightly disappointed by the nose, which is unstable, sometimes a bit earthy and rustic, and other times pure Bowmore, coastal, subtle, and slightly herbaceous. On the other hand, on the palate and in the finish, it’s exactly what I was hoping for, lots of citrus and even exotic fruits, along with a delicate peatiness. Overall, I’m not sorry I picked up this bottle, and I think it will improve with age, the minor flaws on the nose will certainly fade away. The price is quite reasonable, it’s nice to find an affordable Bowmore again. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ethan Gold - I'm Always Sad

Bowmore 100 Degrees Proof

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Original Bottling 

Travel Retail Edition 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

In 2012, to replace the Bowmore Cask Strength, which had been available exclusively through travel retail since 2007, the distillery launched this expression. The bottles are 1 litre in size, the maturation is not specified anywhere, but I suspect a combination of Bourbon and Sherry casks. It is presented as being Cask Strength, but I doubt it, because how is it that every batch has exactly the same alcohol content? Perhaps it is like the Glenfarclas 105, which blends different Cask Strength casks to achieve exactly the desired alcohol content. What is certain is that it is non-chill-filtered. However, there are colourings present, given the colour, there’s no doubt about that. It was replaced in 2017 by a whole range of aged but diluted whiskies, and since then there has been no Bowmore Cask Strength in the Original Bottling range. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Methylated spirits, slightly pungent wood varnish, Reine-Claude plum jam, rocky peat, dried herbs, rubber, reeds, barley sugar, brown sugar, a spoonful of fuel oil, soot powder, a few almonds. Delicate smoke. On the palate, it is slightly oily, woody, with notes of olive oil, wood wax, mirabelle plums, blood oranges, mandarins, followed by very strong spices, cumin and black pepper. On the finish, wood splinters, scrambled eggs, burnt plastic, bitter chocolate, ginger, cola, braised walnuts, light floral notes.

 

In Short, 

I wonder if there’s something wrong with this bottle. When I opened it, the cork gave way, and the first few sips tasted more like petrol than my favourite tipple. I left it to rest for a few weeks, and it’s a bit better now, but there are plenty of flaws. That said, it matches what I’ve been reading here and there, the nose is too woody, it’s too spicy on the palate, and the finish is a bit harsh. Overall, it’s frankly not great, but I’m not giving it too harsh a mark in case the problem is a poorly stored bottle. I bought it at auction and I don’t know where it was kept before. For now, at any rate, it’s a disappointment, and confirmation that Bowmore often causes problems when it’s under 18 years old. 

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                              To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                              Sadness - In The Distant Travels

Bowmore 26 yo French Oak Barrique The Vintner's Trilogy

 

 

 

48,7°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay 

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and French Oak Wine Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2017

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm 

 

 

 

This sample comes from another era, when Bowmore was often the subject of intense ageing experiments with wine casks. This is less often the case today. Here, the whisky has been aged for 13 years in ex-bourbon barrels, then for exactly the same number of years in French oak wine casks. So it's not really a finish, but rather a second maturation. Despite the low alcohol content, it does appear to be a cask strength bottling, as several websites point out. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A moist breeze laden with red berries, fermented cherries, coffee and dates, raspberry coulis, lacquered wood, chocolate icing, blueberry tart, concentrated redcurrants. Almond paste, candied apples. Smoke is in the background, barely perceptible, flecks of soot here and there, sloshing peat. Fig biscuits. Pearls of iodine. Despite a tiny lack of power on the palate, it is a marvel, lychees, orgeat syrup, rose Turkish delight, pear brandy, white grapes, and more red fruits galore. The spices are not so light, pepper, grated nutmeg, cardamom. The finish is not very powerful, but extremely long, hazelnut butter with a pinch of salt, dried bananas, chestnut cream, scrambled eggs, pan-fried mushrooms. Squares of milk chocolate, coffee grounds.

 

In Short, 

In all honesty, it had been a long time since I had tasted whisky of this quality. It's something that isn't done anymore, I'm afraid. It just goes to show that cask finishing can produce something exceptional, as is the case here. It's brilliant because on the one hand you have the influence of the ex-bourbon barrels, bright, smooth and mellow, and on the other, the intense fruitiness of the wine casks. Wonderful tension between the two. This is the second member of the Vintner's Trilogy that I've tasted, so now I only have one left, the oldest. As for the price, unfortunately it's enormous. It's a bit discouraging. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                            Johann Johannsson - Flight From the City

Bowmore 2014 Old Particular 11 yo

 

 

 

62,4°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

This Bowmore yielded only 220 bottles and spent 11 years in a single refill bourbon barrel, ensuring that the distillate is showcased to its best advantage. It was added to the Collection Itinéraires for Whisky Live Paris 2025 and is therefore reserved for the French market.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very intense nose, creamy, fruity, mirabelle and greengage plums, vanilla, abundant citrus fruits, coated in rich, salty peat. Dried fruit, pineapple and banana, liquorice, under a shower of ashes and sea spray. Iodine gradually balancing out. Very pleasant on the palate, with the fruit slightly overwhelming the peat, it's pulpy, citrusy, even exotic, lychee, grapefruit, papaya, with pear and apple. The spices are restrained. The finish is quite long, iodine and oily, with shortbread biscuits, herbaceous notes, reeds, bamboo, a mineral background, slate, quartz, sleet and, of course, cold ashes.

 

In Short, 

A very pleasant Bowmore, intensely fruity, where iodine and peat are a little more discreet, but still very present in the background. That said, I find it lacks a little body or authenticity, I've come to expect better from this distillery. But excellence breeds high standards. In any case, despite the price, which I find high, it is already completely sold out.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Orvak - Only You

Bowmore 1995 Artist #15 Something in the Water 30 yo

 

 

 

45,5°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

This year, La Maison du Whisky has gone all out with its Artist range. It is divided into two series, the first of which is dedicated to Islay and is entitled Something in the Water. And we get straight to the heart of the matter with this 30-year-old Bowmore, which has been matured in a simple Refill Hogshead. Only 220 bottles have been unleashed into the wild. The label features a work by Radhika Surana entitled Transformation.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fine peat softened by floral notes, lily, jasmine, volcanic dust, bitumen, bursting with tropical fruits, mango and pineapple. Soft white peaches, juice-dripping pears. Velvety woodiness, blond tobacco leaf, coarse sea salt and limestone, seaweed and sea urchins. On the palate, it is honeyed and rocky, set with various fruits, papaya, apple compote, treacle, with traces of vegetation and a hint of spice. Almond milk, well-salted cashews. Long and intense finish, lychees and citrus, dried banana, chewing tobacco, iodine and sea spray, forest undergrowth, greasy earth, subtle liquorice.

 

In Short, 

A superb Bowmore, one of the best I have ever tasted. The distillate appears in all its purity, not in the least disturbed by the cask. At the same time, it is perfectly balanced, endless smoothness, a deeply memorable finish despite the low alcohol content. The price is extravagantly high, but that did not prevent it from selling out in a matter of weeks. A fine performance. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lisa O'Neill - The Wind doesn't Blow This Far Right

Bowmore 2001 The Art of Maturation Mission Gold 23 yo

 

 

 

50,3°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Bourbon Hogshead and 1st Fill Port Pipe Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

A 23-year-old Bowmore is the kind of thing that enthusiasts seek out. But this one has been finished in a first-fill port pipe, and you could say that it's not really a finish, since it lasted 15 years, which means that the second maturation is almost twice as long as the first. Personally, I really appreciate aging in port casks, so I'm interested in this anyway. 876 bottles have been released for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The influence of port is a bit strong, with redcurrant candy, muscat grapes, pomegranate seeds, dragon fruit, candied cherries, cocoa powder. The peat is very light and enhances the woody notes, caramelized charcoal, pine resin, cooked mushrooms. Red fruit clafoutis, very slight salinity. On the palate, it is spicy, the peat is thicker, herbal, carrying clods of earth, black berries, dark chocolate, blueberry juice, raw ginger. Long and explosive finish, peat saturated with lignite, chocolate fondant, coffee muffin, soft toffee, salted butter caramel, a hint of minerality, quartz.

 

In Short, 

It's quite successful, the port goes very well with the Bowmore profile, even if it loses some of its identity, which was to be expected. That said, I would have liked a little more fruit. Unfortunately, the price is far too high, Bowmore has become an overly expensive distillery, which is very regrettable. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Anna Calvi - Love Won't Be Leaving

Bowmore 18 yo Sherry Oak Cask

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon Casks, Oloroso Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Peated around 25 ppm 

 

 

 

After the 12 and 15 year olds, I'm now experimenting with the 18 year old from the Sherry Oak Cask series launched last year. The maturation is exactly the same, the alcohol content remains fairly low, and we can only deplore the presence of colouring and cold filtration.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is more intense, deeper, candied figs, melting chocolate, red fruit jam, brown tobacco, dancing floral notes, intense woodiness, hazelnuts and walnuts. Molasses, sticky caramel, slightly burnt at the edges. It's indulgent on the palate, from redcurrant to blueberry, and if you look hard enough you can find some exotic fruit. With a slight woody bitterness, very discreet and delicately smoky peat, raspy spices. Long finish, where the wood and charcoal stand out, but very well balanced, with cola nut and marzipan, vergeoise, filled wafers, vanilla extract, pipe tobacco.

 

In Short, 

So Bowmore has three 18-year-old whiskies, the classic 18yo, the 18yo Deep & Complex, and this one, the 18yo Sherry Oak Cask. To be honest, I find this one the least interesting. It's very good, but I don't find the distillery hallmarks that I like. No hint of saltiness or costality, too discreet peatiness, no forest undergrowth. It's a good Sherry, but several distilleries are capable of doing the same thing, and there's no distinctive character to the product. It's the least interesting, but it's also the most expensive, so go figure. To sum up, this new range is not very exciting. Admittedly, the 15yo offers a clear improvement on the classic 15yo, but it's far too expensive. The 12yo seems too weak to me, and the 18yo is good but loses its personality. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Marta - Out The Way

Bowmore 15 yo Sherry Oak Cask

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon Casks, Oloroso Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

I'm still exploring Bowmore's new Sherry range launched in 2024. The 15yo has followed exactly the same maturation as the 12yo, with lots of Oloroso, the alcohol content is a little higher, but it's still chill-filtered and coloured.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Velvety and mellow Dark Sherry, with just the right amount of syrupy dried fruit, blueberries and blackberries, dried bananas, dates, not to mention exotic wood, fir honey, dark chocolate and damp leather. Pipe tobacco, roasted hazelnuts. On the palate, it's more floral, more measured, but still very oily. Creamy vanilla, lemon zest, very discreet peat, some cereals, oak bark, damp undergrowth. Light but very present spices. Long finish, not very violent but pleasant, earth and coffee, exotic fruit, charcoal, dried herbs and roots.

 

In Short, 

This time, it's much better than the 12yo, with undeniable qualities, the Sherry is very well brought out, very measured, intense but not excessive. I found complexity on the nose and a fine finish. The problem is the price, which is ridiculous. At this price, you can get much better things, I don't understand the point of this price, besides, I have the impression that it doesn't sell so well.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Rest in Beats - Saltvand

Bowmore 12 yo Sherry Oak Cask

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon Casks, Oloroso Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

In 2024, Bowmore launched a new range, more focused on Sherry. I thought for a moment that the new range was going to replace the old one, but in fact no, the two continue to exist side by side. As a result, Bowmore now has 2 regular ranges and 2 Travel Retail ranges. Which makes by far the largest Core Range in Scotland, and possibly the world. So this one has been matured mainly in Sherry casks, with a Sherry finish added over it. It's unfortunately cold-filtered and coloured, with the lowest possible alcohol content.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is well-crafted, there's no rancio or sour or acid notes, it's velvety, with dried fruits, dates, figs, red fruits that aren't too overpowering, dark honey, leather and earthy notes. But it's light. On the palate, it's very smooth, barely oily, you can hardly detect anything, lychees, medicinal vanilla, white grapes. Timid spices. And the finish is fine without more, not very long, raisins, chocolate and coffee, heather earth. Slightly waxy peat, charcoal and dark berries. Roasted hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad, but it's far too light. I don't understand how a 12-year-old can be so weak, despite maturing beautifully. What's more, the price is out of all proportion, it's far too expensive for what it is. It's really disappointing from this distillery, I'd hoped they'd finally be willing to improve their regular range, but that's not the case.

Score : 82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           a crestfallen child - Thirty Days

Bowmore Cask Strength Glass Printed Label

 

 

 

56°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in the early 1990s

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

Another fine piece of history we have here. Bowmore's first Cask Strength bottlings appeared in the early 1990s. I know they were around in 1995, and I presume it was around before that as well. I assume it's Cask Strength, even though it's still the same exact alcohol content, they must have combined the casks so that it makes exactly 56°, like Glenfarclas 105. It's probably non-chill filtered too, as their regular range was. On the other hand, there must surely have been colouring. According to a website I found, it was aged in Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks. The 1990s was the period when Bowmore was still affected by French Whore Perfume, so you have to be careful. Some bottles are completely destroyed by this bad smell of violet perfume, certainly those dating from the first half of the 1990s. Others are saved from this disaster, and the one I tasted had escaped it.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Mellow vanilla, nougatine, light smoky and medicinal notes, fine powdery peat, and on top a delight of exotic fruits, papaya, pineapple, prickly pear, candied banana, orange slices, sweet potatoes, ripe lemon. A hint of iodine in the background, fresh limestone, sea spray, guano, green seaweed. On the palate, it's both powerful and delicate, almond milk, whitewashed peat, very discreet floral touches, soft vanilla cake, salted butter caramel, hot fudge, discreet spices. The long and powerful finish returns to the costal character, sea foam, saline touches, puffed rice, almond paste, vanilla blossom, Turkish delight.

 

In Short, 

I think the bottle I tasted 1cl of dates from the very early 2000s, the FWP problem was solved in 1994, and a few years later the whisky from Bowmore is excellent again. The exotic fruits are intense, and the smoke is incredible, powdery and subtle as diamonds. It's superb, but that's the problem. You have to avoid the bad bottles full of violet disinfectant, and stumbling across the good ones is a lottery. These bottles are very old and extremely expensive. So I'm not sure I'd recommend buying them, especially if there's a 50/50 chance you'll come across something that's no good. The life of a whisky fan is really complicated sometimes.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Cosmic Garden Project - Olympus Mons

Bowmore 2014 Old Particular 10 yo c. DL18875

 

 

 

48,4°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

At Douglas Laing, they bottle quite a few Bowmores, just 7 last year. Including this one, which spent 10 years in a Refill Bourbon Barrel before being delivered to the public in the form of 288 bottles. Old Particular is sometimes Cask Strength, but when it's not, it's always reduced to the same level, as in this case, 48.4°.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An airy, crystalline peat combined with brioche and pastry cream. Small candied lemons, discreet notes of vanilla, exotic fruits, papaya, banana, prickly pear. A generous pinch of salt, rock, sea spray, foam full of kelp. Quartz and silica. It's very well-balanced on the palate, but a little light. It's silky, smooth, fruit pastes, barely perceptible oak, cooked apples, discreet spices, a nut of treacle. Long, very restrained finish, an ounce of charcoal, limestone, guano, wild honey, hot corn.

 

In Short, 

An excellent Bowmore, full of sea spray, with notes of lemon and exotic fruit. Everything you'd expect from this distillery. What a shame it's not a Cask Strength, that would be a marvel. But it's still very pleasant to drink, and bewitching. The price seems a little high to me, so best to buy on special offer.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Cacks - Remedy

Bowmore 2004 Whiskyland Chapter Two 20 yo

 

 

 

53,3°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

No sooner has the noise caused by the launch of the Springbank, the first Whiskyland of the name, died down, than Angus McRaild strikes again with this 20-year-old Bowmore, matured in a simple Refill Hogshead and limited to 171 bottles. This new series is truly the subject of the year for all whisky lovers.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Salty, maritime nose, seaweed, kelp, foam, skillfully combined with crème brûlée, sprinkled with lemon, hints of mango and banana, perhaps papaya, herbaceous peat in the background, greyish smoke, charcoal blocks. It's slightly oily on the palate, generous citrus fruits, grapefruit, lime, creamy vanilla and a touch of iodine. Oyster juice, light spices, cloves, nutmeg. Quite a long finish, full of salt and with forest notes, soot, tar puddles, sandy beach, crushed chestnuts, semi-salted butter.

 

In Short, 

It reminds me a lot of Bowmore Islay Sponge Part 5, which I mentioned here. Same age, same year of distillation, same maturation. The only difference is that the other seemed very salty to me, whereas this one is fruitier, and a little more marked by the peatiness. In any case, these are two excellent Bowmores, inspired by the mythical era of the old Bowmores of the 1960s, to create something modern and contemporary, just as original but with more character and contrast. Needless to say, it's magnificent, and quite expensive too, but it's got all the passion and attraction a whisky fan needs to sink his or her teeth into.

Score : 90 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Unthanks - River River

Bowmore 2001 Cask Strength Collection La Maison du Whisky Exclusive Bottling 12 yo

 

 

 

57,9°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition

Single Cask

Bottled in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

This bottling was released at the end of 2014, selected by La Maison du Whisky for an exclusive sale in their stores. 595 bottles were released. 

Let's Taste It : 

Light stringy peat, a bit mineral, costal, salty. Fruits in the background, mellow, dates, quinces, medlars, apricots. It's malty, cereal-like, which is unusual for this distillery. A medicinal touch, ether, camphor, a zest of lemon. On the palate, it's both sweet and a little bitter, creamy vanilla, lemony drops and some sea spray, it's also waxy. Lively spices, cumin and pepper. Nice finish, quite full, becoming gourmet, pastry cream, vanilla icing, still candle wax, but this time it's well integrated. Mirabelles, fermented lemon. Toasted wheat.

 

In Short, 

I found there a few flaws, and the flavours were a little subdued. It's not a very expressive whisky. The waxy taste may be due to the bottle having been open for a long time, but I don't know. This expression has been sold out for a long time now, but if you come across it at auction or by chance in a liquor store, I urge you to be very circumspect.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Duncan Sheik - Barely Breathing

Bowmore 2004 Islay Sponge Part 5 20 yo

 

 

 

54,9°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay 

Refill Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

Angus McRaild, co-founder of Decadent Drinks, launched this mini-series two years ago, called Islay Sponge. It brings together exceptional bottlings from Islay, and today it's the 5th expression, from Bowmore. 20 years old, a Refill Hogshead, everything the distillate needs to fully express itself. 183 bottles are produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Coarse salt and a sea breeze. Kelp, various seaweeds. Lemon juice and grapefruit. Sea spray, foam, samphire. Salt-meadow lamb. Iodine bursting with limestone. Seawater, candied lemon. Papaya and pineapple, but it is above all very citrusy. lychee coated in icing sugar, white grapes. It's smooth and oily on the palate, then spicy, pepper, cumin, lemon velouté, a few boutargues, tuna crumbs, scallops. Creamy vanilla. On the finish, sea urchins, quite violent, then we return to this very costal, salty profile, in harmony with the lemon, and magnified by the spices. Slight forest touches.

 

In Short, 

It's really surprising and interesting. It's reminiscent of the old Bowmore from the 1960s, the great era, but it's different again, it's really modern. A strange and delicious combination of salt, a strong marine profile, citrus and exotic fruits. It's definitely an expression worth exploring, especially if you're a fan of the distillery, as it has its typical character. It's one of the saltiest Bowmores I've ever drunk. The problem is the price, but it has to be said that this is the market price, old Bowmores are very expensive.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Florence and The Machine - Cosmic Love

Bowmore 1997 Xtra Old Particular 25 yo

 

 

 

47,5°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm 

An interesting Bowmore, matured in a Refill cask to allow the distillate to develop its full potential. La Maison du Whisky spotted it and snapped it up for a distribution in France as part of the Antipodes Collection. 219 bottles have been produced.

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful costal fragrances, slightly lemony. Then it becomes gourmand and vanilla-flavoured, but not without a hint of salt and peat. Seaweed and kelp, but with a pinch of icing sugar. A lovely fullness of iodine. At the end, the peat becomes more present, with mud, shellfish and whelks. Exotic fruits in the background, mango and papaya. Wonderful balance. On the palate, it's the fruit that stands out, and it's almost an explosion, vanilla and mango above all, but also pastry cream, candied lemon, lychee, then pushed aside by a few spices, pepper, cumin, cloves. The finish is superb without being too aggressive, very long, cola, smoked tea, a hint of caramel, a pinch of charcoal.

 

In Short, 

This is an excellent Bowmore, undoubtedly one of the best Bourbon-aged ones you can still find. It's got everything you need to make a good Bowmore: very light peat, costal intensity and, of course, exotic fruits. For any self-respecting fan of the distillery, this is a must-have. Of course, it's very expensive, so now's the time to try your luck at the lottery.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           iamamiwhoami - A Thousand Years

Bowmore 1999 Hand Filled 20 yo

 

 

 

54,9°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay 

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

I've never visited the Bowmore distillery, but apparently when you do, you have the opportunity to buy these regularly released bottles from the Hand Filled series. They are, as the name suggests, hand-filled, the particulars of the juice are noted in pencil on a small notebook supplied with the bottle and the alcohol content is also written in pencil on the label! This one is said to be the 33rd Batch in the Hand Filled series, aged for 20 years and 6 months in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry first-fill cask, numbered 26, and reportedly sold out 2 days after going on sale, bearing in mind that this bottling can only be purchased from the distillery. I don't know how many bottles were produced, but there are at least 659.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very intense and quite woody sherry. Blackcurrant and frangipane. Ribbed velvet, cherry jam, gooseberries and liquorice. Raspberry lollipop, chocolate and caramel, genoise, treacle. Coulis, pomegranate, a few herbaceous touches. It's silky on the palate, rosewater, satiny vanilla, red fruits but not overpowering, cloves and pepper, light rancio, fermented fruits. The finish is long and explosive, meandering between the woody and morello cherry flavours, chocolate filled with ganache, stretto coffee and cherries, red fruit mousse and very slight bitterness. Cola nut.

In Short, 

I haven't had such a good Bowmore for a long time. It's quite exceptional. The Sherry is very intense but perfectly proportioned, velvety, coated in a layer of caramel, pure candy and at the same time very deep, a beautiful variety of pulpy fruit. In a word, magnificent. Be careful, it's not a good swimmer, so it's best not to add water. It's hard to get hold of it these days, you can sometimes find it at auction, but you have to pay the price.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Jacob Gurevitsch - Lovers in Paris

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. With time, the lingering bitterness on the palate and the finish has vanished. 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 OK. It's a bit too light, and with flaws, but I like this evanescent iodine, this discreet peat. It feels like being on a beach on the Baltic sea, far from anything. 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 wonderful, in my opinion. On the other hand, the bottles are magnificent.

Score : 83

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Queensryche - Silent Lucidity