Bowmore 1997 (Wemyss Malts)

This Bowmore 1997 ‘Shellfish platter’ is part of the new Spring 2016 releases from Wemyss Malts.

Bowmore 1997 ‘Shellfish platter’ (46%, Wemyss Malts 2015, hogshead, 330 btl.)

Nose: starts quite raw, chalky, with lots of oysters and hints of heather smoke. Hay and mineral notes. Briny notes and seaweed. Fresh herbs. Clean and seemingly narrow, but after a while some whiffs of bright, slightly tropical notes come out (grapefruit, a little passion fruits) – hinting towards the excellent Bowmore 1993s.

Mouth: quite fruity (sweet lemon and orange) with medium peat and a few medicinal touches. Lots of coastal elements. Then some waxy notes and light brine. A very light touch of lavender too. Becomes quite ashy in the end.

Finish: long, earthy, with some toasted biscuits in the background.

Nice middle-aged Bowmore, with plenty of coastal intensity but some nice fruity touches as well. Around € 110.

Score: 86/100