Bowmore 25 Years is a mix of American bourbon and a large proportion of Spanish sherry casks.
Bowmore used to bottle this single malt at 40% (black label), then as a Small Batch release. Now it’s part of the core range at 43% ABV with a white label.
Bowmore 25 yo (43%, OB +/- 2018)
Nose: nicely mellow but aromatic. Gentle smoke, with jammy sherry fruits, hints of cedar oak and plenty of cooked fruits in the background. A little chocolate, berries, toffee. There’s a thicker side (blackberries) but also a bright, slightly acidic fruitiness (raspberry and lime). Cinnamon and tobacco too.
Mouth: a little disappointing now. It’s thin, with some burnt oak, salted notes and cocoa. There’s sherry and there’s this nice fruitiness (pink grapefruit) but also a faint hint of lavender (not 1980s amounts though). Clove, nutty notes.
Finish: long, fairly dry and spicy, with toasted oak, espresso, herbs and still a little grapefruit.
Hard to score: the nose was nice enough, but on the palate it feels less harmonious, lacking some richness. When will they go up to 46% ABV and skip the chill filtering? The price is okay, see TWE or Master of Malt.