There’s the wonderful 1960s character of course, the problematic 1980s and the reaffirming 1990s, but I have to say I’m not very familiar with 1970s Bowmore. In my glass is a vintage version of the Bowmore 21 Year Old, bottled from two casks filled in 1973.
Bowmore 21 yo 1973 (43%, OB +/- 1994, sherry butts #5173 + 5174)
Bowmore 21 yo 1973 (43%, OB +/- 1994, sherry butts #5173 + 5174)Nose: very elegant, light peat, accompanied by a fresh mintiness / eucalyptus, resinous notes and soft coastal notes. Beautiful fruity notes (blood oranges, mango) and a pouch of cigarette tobacco. Polished leather. Hints of thyme. A complex gentleman, great.
Mouth: sweet mango again, with candied citrus. Then briny notes, bittersweet herbs and oak spices. Plenty of ashes after some time, but also a hint of lavender? Is my mind playing tricks on me? Oysters and medicinal notes (cough syrup). Yes, lavender indeed.
Finish: long with bitter oranges and herbal notes. More peat now.
This one falls in between the 1960s exotic fruits and the 1970s peatiness. Very good if not for the lavender notes on the palate. I thought these were mostly a 1980s problem? Dodgy bottle? Strange and difficult to score because of this. Around € 900 in some shops.
Score: 87/100