Bowmore 1991 (Antique Lions of Spirits)

There’s a second batch of Antique Lions of Spirits, the Butterflies series, with equally impressive decorations.

This time, I also think the selection is more impressive. The first batch contained quite a lot of less reputed names (Blair Athol, Fettercairn, Tormore…) but now we’re seeing old Bunnahabhain, old Irish malt, this Bowmore 1991, a Bladnoch… Can’t wait.

Bowmore 25 yo 1991 (48,7%, Antique Lions of Spirits ‘Butterflies’ 2017, bourbon cask, 218 btl.)

Nose: complex, rewarding nose, starting on smoked salt, coastal hints with hay and seaweed. Also smooth fruity notes: pears, gooseberries, lemons, nice hints of guava. A little menthol, almonds and subtle hints of petrol – great.

Mouth: very good. It’s got most of the tropical fruitiness of the famous 1993-1996s, plenty of grapefruit, passion fruit, hints of cape gooseberries too. A rather moderate peatiness which works for the better here. Leather. Fades on salty notes, chalk and ashy lemons.

Finish: long, with waxy / resinous notes, soft herbs and briny peat smoke.

The big coastal side, the velvety peat and the (slightly tropical) fruitiness are a great match. Lovely whisky, but pricey indeed. Available from The Whisky Exchange for instance.

Score: 91/100