Bowmore 1998 ‘Cacao Geyser’ (Wemyss)

Wemyss Malts announced the release of six new single casks. We’re trying the Bowmore 1998 nicknamed Cacao Geyser.

Bowmore 1998 ‘Cacao Geyser’ (46%, Wemyss 2014, sherry butt, 737 btl.)

Nose: reminds me of the Bowmore 1995/2008 SMOS. Huge tobacco notes, with a bit of dusty leather and huge notes of Mexican chocolate discs. Figs. Also flinty notes and whiffs of gunpowder and rubber (nothing dirty). Lots of ashes. After a while it settles on a sweet & sour balance, with echoes of Balsamico.

Mouth: slightly fruitier than expected, with pretty spectacular notes of blackcurrants. The dark chocolate is also present of course, but I would have chosen Cassis Geyser. Deep cigar smoke. Hints of prunes, with a peppery / gingery base. Jaffa cakes and salty liquorice towards the end.

Finish: long, smoky and briney with lingering sherry.

This Bowmore shows the biggest blackcurrant notes I’ve ever encountered in whisky – I love that. A nice profile that you don’t see too often. Around € 95, arriving in stores as we speak.

Score: 89/100