Whisky Tasting – A Small Batch from Bowmore
This weekend Jim is of to another island, Arran, but tonight we concentrate on the Isle of Islay for our tasting. Tonight Jim and Nicola are about to enjoy a Small Batch dram from Bowmore.
This wonderful distillery was founded over two centuries ago in 1779, Bowmore is the first recorded distillery on Islay (pronounced ‘eye-la’) and one of the oldest in Scotland. Islay Single Malt Whiskies are renowned for their peaty smokiness and Bowmore is no exception. Bowmore carefully smoke their malt in a peat-fired kiln, just as their ancestors did over 200 years ago.
Bowmore distillery, Shore Street, Bowmore, Islay, Argyll PA43 7GS
website www.bowmore.com
Owners, Morrison Bowmore Distillers, (Suntory)
Rachel Barrie, Master Blender of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, adds: “Bowmore Small Batch Reserve encapsulates the perfect harmony of nature’s elements on a summer’s day on Islay. The sweetest smoked barley and highest quality bourbon oak casks have created a vanilla elixir with ripe orchard fruits, honeycomb and teasing wispy smoke. Relax, take it easy and enter Islay time with the harmonious taste of Small Batch Reserve.”
Tonight’s tasting is:-
Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Small Batch Reserve, 40% Alc/vol 70cl.
Colour…Sunset gold
Jim’s Tasting
Nose…Vanilla ice cream cone, puff candy, little floral perfume, salty sea spray, Islay chimney smoke.
Taste…Fresh and elegant, malty, loads of honey and oak, wood fire with a sprinkling of damp peat, quite drying, citrus at the back.
Finish…Long with the smoke lingering so well.
Score…4 Corks
Nicola’s Tasting
Nose…Vanilla cracker, fudge, Crunchie bar, ginger bread and salty peat.
Taste…Chilli hot and spicy, soft fragrant vanilla ice cream, Lees snowball, salted dipped strawberries.
Finish…Medium to long finish with a little dryness.
Score…3.5 Corks
Overall score…4 Corks
This is an exceptional Whisky and when we tell you it will cost you less that £33.00 then it becomes outstanding. Jim and Nicola loved this Islay dram and will be getting a bottle or two for our cabinet. If you get a chance visit Bowmore’s website to check out all their expressions and you can also buy direct from the Distillery.
Your local specialist Whisky shop and certainly on-line will have stocks for you to buy.
Bowmore is definitely my favourite single malt. Really nice peaty flavour, but not too pungent.
Nice post on American Single Malt whisky. It’s true what you said that there are now a lot of nice single malts on the market from distilleries outwith Scotland. Thanks for sharing, and when I’m in the States, I’ll need to check out this whisky.
Hello,Nice post on American Single Malt whisky. It’s true what you said that there are now a lot of nice single malts on the market from distilleries outwith Scotland. Thanks for sharing, and when I’m in the States, I’ll need to check out this whisky.