Soon after the terrific Springbank 1998 there is now a second chapter in the Whiskyland series from Decadent Drinks. Actually there is a third chapter already… we’ll come to that later. The new release is a Bowmore 2004. Much more affordable than the Springbank, of course.
Bowmore 20 yo 2004 (53,3%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2024, refill hogshead, 171 btl.)
Nose: le nouveau Bowmore, a sexy mix of fruit and peat. Hints of lemon and lime, with whiffs of banana, peach and stewed tropical notes (papaya). Then beach sand, saltwater, seaweed, some dried herbs and light menthol. A fine, slightly floral kind of ashy smoke in the background.
Mouth: oily, with smoked gooseberries, limes and pink grapefruit, along with cold ashes and iodine. Back to rosemary, vegetal oils, white pepper and cumin. Just a hint of creamy vanilla. Then oyster brine and mineral notes, peated grist and plain sea salt, as well as a greasy quality towards the end.
Finish: medium length, salty and slightly leafy, with subtle coal smoke and lemon.
While independent bottlers have always showed us this lovely style of Bowmore, it is only since a few years that the distillery is moving (back) towards this profile in official bottlings. Anyway, similar to the sister cask from the Islay Sponge series, but tighter and less exuberantly fruity, in my opinion.
Price-wise this is at the lower end of the new Whiskyland series, but the quality is undeniably high. Sold out from Decadent Drinks (but some retailers should get it next week).