This is Bowmore Bw5, the fifth expression from this distillery in the Elements of Islay series and the best one so far, according to the TWE staff.
It is a vatting of 1995 and 1996 casks, and as you know these have been excellent years for the distillery (see The Whisky Agency’s Faces release).
Bowmore Bw5
(50,2%, Elements of Islay 2015, 50 cl)
Bowmore Bw5Nose: a very classic, clean and balanced Bowmore. There’s medium smoke and medium coastalness, on the same level as the rich sweetness. Creamy vanilla. Lemon candy, tinned pineapples and faint tangerine. Also a nice fresh minty note.
Mouth: coastal start, slightly hesitating, but then a great wave of pink grapefruit, mango and sweet lime comes along. Almost as if they vatted a few litres of Irish whiskey as well. Excellent, especially because the usual peat smoke, pepper and kippers make some way. Sweet and fruity Bowmore.
Finish: maybe not that long, but rounded and smooth.
Perhaps too sweet with too little smoke for some, but I love this style. Recommended stuff. Too bad it’s also quite expensive: around € 120.
Score: 90/100