I believe this will complete our reviews of the rather excellent Vintner’s Trilogy from Bowmore distillery:
The last part is a 27 year-old malt which spent 13 years in ex-bourbon barrels and another 14 years in Port pipes, resting in Bowmore’s famous No 1 vaults on Islay.
Bowmore 27 yo ‘Port Cask’
(48,3%, OB ‘Vintner’s Trilogy’ 2018)
Bowmore 27 yo ‘Port Cask’Nose: aromatic nose, combining smoky notes with damp tobacco leaves and sweeter notes. Red berries, milk chocolate and toffee. Heather, mint and subtle medicinal touches. Curry spices a little sandalwood. Rather fresh and elegant, with closely interwoven aromas.
Mouth: creamy texture, with a syrupy berry sweetness again, now also cooked fruits (peaches), as well as toffee and milk chocolate. Menthol freshness. Some violet candy but nothing perfumy. Herbal notes, lots of dry ashes and a very light salty touch.
Finish: sweet and smoky, with some tangy oak and leather.
I’m generally not a big fan of port wood maturation but this is done skilfully. A good Bowmore with syrupy fruits. Really good but it doesn’t beat the 26 Years for me. Still available from The Whisky Exchange (the 26 Years as well by the way).
Score: 89/100