Bowmore 1991 Càrn Mòr Celebration of the Cask Black Gold 25 yo

54,6°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling

By Morrison and MacKay

Limited Edition

Single Cask

Bottled in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

The Càrn Mòr range includes exceptional whiskies, generally sold at very high prices. Here is a 25-year-old Bowmore Single Cask, bursting with sherry and available in a limited edition of just 560 units.

Let's Taste It :

Masses of smoke. It's thick, opaque. Behind, red fruits. Blackcurrant, raspberry. Trail of ash. Coal mine. Black earth. Burnt wood stump. Quinces. A bit of varnish. With the addition of water, the smoke becomes very intense, slightly earthy. Dry, vinous sherry. Raisins and cashew nuts. More smoke. The day after a fire. Fermented cherry. Barrels of ash. Roasted hair. Cooking meat, juicy. Bacon. Absolutely crazy. Very coppery, golden but silky on the palate. Blackberry juice. The pepper rises, without masking the vinous character, the alcohol is not noticeable at all, thick, woody liqueur, loaded with red fruits. Earthy finish, like the forest after the rain, never-ending. Not at all aggressive. Damp wood. So intense that, even after swallowing, I still feel like I've got whisky in my mouth. Crushed blueberries. Slightly acidic, like mirabelles. Coffee grounds. Finally, a little taste of blood.

 

In Short, 

It's divine. Simply divine. If you can afford it, you must get yourself a bottle.

Score : 94

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping : 

   

                                          Akosh S. Unit - Azértis

Bowmore 1996 The Single Malts of Scotland 22 yo

50,4°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Bourbon Casks

Independent Bottling

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition

Single Cask

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm

Elixir Distillers is a bottler on the rise. The Port Askaig and Elements of Islay series have been very successful. This prestige collection, The Single Malts of Scotland, is more discreet but no less interesting, offering only vintage whiskies. This one is a 22-year-old from a Bowmore single cask, of which 210 bottles are available.

Let's Taste It : 

An impressive balance between the salty iodine that invites you to travel, and the sweet, delicious fruits that whet your appetite. Slightly earthy vanilla, sesame, nougat, white fruits, plums, grapes, pear. On the palate it's relatively light, the pepper rises, the vanilla becomes candied, a dash of lemon, then there's a very successful, fairly violent finish, citrus fruits, pear, candied fruits, more or less exotic, mango, melon. Cane sugar at the end.

 

In Short, 

This is excellence, and even exceptional whisky. However, the very high price means that this nectar will be reserved for an elite. 

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Janis Joplin - Summertime

Bowmore 15 yo Darkest

43°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Bourbon Casks and Sherry Finish

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2007

Peated around 25 ppm

This edition was the distillery's benchmark for a good ten years, then its superlative "Darkest" was withdrawn, although it is not certain that the blend has changed in any way..

Let's Taste It :

A very smoky, almost charcoal nose dominates the whole. Behind, the sherry is present, but discreet. A fine balance nonetheless. Leather and caramel, dried raisins, porridge, tar, soot, peat. Light on the palate, fruits and sherry barely give way to a gentle, elegant peat. The whole is enhanced by a touch of coarse salt. The spices rise quickly, however. The finish is very good, with earth, charcoal, ash and olive oil, some red fruits and light caramel.

 

In Short, 

I find it better than the current 15 year old, deeper as indicated, marked by earth and coal. Maybe it's just an impression. In any case, the price was reasonable at the time, it was worth investing in a bottle.

Score : 86

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Gotan Project - Santa Maria (del Buen Ayre)

Bowmore 10 yo Dark & Intense

40°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Ex-Sherry Casks and Bourbon Hogsheads

Original Bottling

Traveil Retail Edition

Single Malt

Launched in 2017

Peated around 25 ppm

The distillery has been selling this expression through the travel trade for some years now, but it is now available on virtually every online site.

Let's Taste It : 

A vinous earthiness, crushed grapes, wood shavings. The smoke and peat are discreet, a little dusty, the sherry is darker and deeper than usual. Nice balance. A hint of honey, which really comes to the fore on the palate. It's light, a little peppery, earthy and maderised. You need to keep the liqueur in the mouth for a while for it to reveal itself, with apricot, grape and plum. Quite a strong finish, not too short, dry earth, whiffs of smoke, charcoal in retro-olfaction. At less than 40 euros, it's a bargain.

 

In Short, 

The winey, earthy hints add depth to this light peat marked by tasty sherry. Definitely worth a try, despite the low alcohol content. 

Score : 84

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :  

                                           Sade - No Ordinary Love

Bowmore The Devil's Casks Limited Release III

56,7°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

1st Fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

Between 2013 and 2015, the distillery released this series of three limited editions. This one, the third, is a blend of casks aged in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry. Unlike the first two, which were aged for ten years, there is no age statement here. 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite intense smoke, but very fine. Almost foggy, with hints of dampness. Added to this are juicy red fruits, strawberry, raspberry, cherry. The marriage is perfect, sealed by a touch of heather, bark and fern. On the palate, it's initially a little light, then the pepper rises, very aggressively. Gooseberry, papaya, passion fruit. Followed by a lively finish, slightly earthy but also fruity. Tomato juice. Slight earthiness, chestnut cream, dark chocolate.

 

In Short, 

It's truly superb. The sherry is pushed to its pinnacle, with a skilfully measured peat. Unfortunately, the price is far beyond reasonable. 

Score : 90

                                          To Be Lisstened While Sipping : 

  

                                           Genesis - The Musical Box

Bowmore Springtide 2016

54,9°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

1st and 2d Filll Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

The distillery has released this limited edition with a strong Oloroso sherry character on two occasions, in 2012 and 2016. This is the second batch, distributed in an edition of 4,000 units.

Let's Taste It :

Heavy, thick smoke. Then the fruits rise. Cranberries, passion fruit, pomegranate, goji. Very tasty. Smoke and fruit gradually come together. The nose matures over time. On the palate, it's relatively light, gooseberry, followed by fairly strong pepper, very spicy, which gives way to a warm sherry. Amarena cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry, green apple, then a very long finish, maple syrup, nectarine and prune. Fine, dry earth, heather and pine needles.

 

In Short, 

It's really very good, and the sherry is of a rare intensity. Still, the price is extravagant, especially now that it's more or less impossible to find. 

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           David Bowie - Rock'n'Roll Suicide

Bowmore 18 yo

43°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2007

Peated around 25 ppm

This is the prestige expression of the Bowmore range.

 

Let's Taste It : 

A nose of coarse salt, the tide is there, iodine and fish, sea spray, a few rocks, kelp. But it's quite smooth and well-balanced. The sherry is light, plums, apricots, leather. A whiff of smoke. White fruits, dried grapes. A winey, earthy note. Floral essences, white rose, primrose. On the palate, salt, peat, iodine, light fruits, mirabelles. The finish is pleasant, with oysters and other seafood. Dried banana, sweet olive, almond oil. Stuffed figs, caramel, walnuts.

 

In Short, 

It's really good, well-balanced, with notes of iodine and fruits tempered by delicate peat. The price is still not too high, making it a worthy purchase.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

  

                                           Archive - Again

Bushmills Original

40°

Distillery : Old Bushmills, Midleton - Ireland

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Blended Whiskey

Totally Unpeated

This is an extremely well-known expression, a Blended Whiskey that is very popular among the general public.

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, vanilla, honey and red fruits, mixed with almond and a few cereals, which is confirmed as soon as it enters the mouth. Sandalwood. Armenian paper. Young apple, mint leaf. It's mixed with a hint of molasses, caramel and lemon, and on the finish there's a touch of coarse salt and a note of gooseberry. It's a bit pungent, not a very long aftertaste. Damp red earth. Slight acidity. Varnished wood. A touch of solvent at the end. Cola. 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all. Except for the finish, which is a bit too rough. It's good value for money for beginners, but of little interest to experts.

Score : 78

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : :

  

                                           Johnny Clegg & Savuka - Asimbonanga