Bowmore Darkest 15
Added on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 at 12:15 AM
  Bottler: OB
  Age: 15 yrs Type: Scotch
  Vintage: N/A Subtype: Single Malt
  ABV: 43.00 % Region: Islay
  Price: $65 Availability: Better Stores
The previous "Darkest" edition had no age statement.
Member Ratings and Notes
Adam
 
Burnt-tasting aspects in the nose show up in the burnt-sugar palate.  Sherry's there, kinda rich.  The finish is long, and gets very long, but that last very long part is mostly alcohol with a small bit of soap.  Distinct Bowmore characteristics are here for sure, and I called it as such in a blind tasting, so thus I am still super-awesome.  Overall this doesn't quite work for me... parts are great, but not the whole, though still worth trying.   
Chris
 
N: Deep desert smells.
P: Some interesting sherry, cocoa, peat, and some smoke in the background.
F: Long and smoky, with some liquorice.
Pretty complex but kinda funky. 
Tim
 

N: Balanced sherry gives some dried fruit, nutmeg and a touch of cinnamon to iodine, earth and a bit of tar. There's a touch of plum and cherry; a little bit of clay. Light sweetness and faint malt. 

 

P: Moderate peat and a little heat which is balanced well by a nice cinnamon-spiced apple compote. A touch of fig; nice, rich, oily mouthfeel. 
 
F: Gains heat momentarily and the peat comes to the forefront; a nice gentle tongue-numbing spice in the form of some cinnamon and pepper. Settles down and leaves some more dried fruits; a bright note which I'd agree is faintly soapy lingers as well.
 
A really enjoyable, super-accessible Bowmore.  I get the light soap the others mention but to my palate it's extremely light and doesn't really mar this one for me (and soap usually is a bullet train to D-city for me). 
 
Andy
 

n:  laundry detergent in potting soil and dried fruit.  Boo.

 

p:  Sunflower seeds and prunes.  Finish sticks in a bad way and is indistict.  Sort of a lingering taste of raisins or prunes.  Not my thing really.  Not much peat if any.

 
Ries
 

n: Soot, wet driftwood by the beach, grey sea salt, leather, and strawberry jam. Like fresh dug earth by the sea; rather nice and inviting nose with some lemon peel and honeysuckle.

 

t: Initial sweetness with light brine, and a bit of soy sauce that is counter balanced with dried red fruit, prunes, citrus wax, and faint peat smoke. Middle is scalded berry marmelade, black raisin, and dried figs. Finish is of smoke, waxed fruit, ginger, and wood char. More smoke in the nose than taste.

 

This is one of the more likeable and fruity current Bowmores available. It has some nice individual aspects, but doesn't quite come together.  [B-/B]

 

 

 
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