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| Hello, that is one in every of our (nearly) every day tastings. Santé! |
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September 17, 2024
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New Bowmore 21 PX Sherry and indie mates
We’ll do as we regularly do: begin with the official one, then transfer on to some impartial companions.
Smoked chocolate (The Chalk Board)
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Bowmore 21 yo ‘Sherry Oak Cask’ (46.8%, OB, 2024) 
A brand new vary, matured in bourbon and oloroso, then, ahem, completed in PX. Was that basically obligatory? However in fact, we do love Bowmore, so whether or not it is PX-finished or not, it might nonetheless be superb. One does begin to surprise, although, if southern Spain can produce sufficient PX to fulfill the Scots, and each different distiller on the earth? (After all they will). Color: amber. Nostril: I really feel the sherry and peat considerably cancel one another out, however with out inflicting any actual concern. You want to give it time, however then the figs, raisins, and dates from the PX come by way of, adopted by miso, umami, tobacco, and Maggi, main ultimately to a slightly charming trace of smoked ham and mashed peas. It is a enjoyable nostril, even when we ‘naturally’ want the extra crystalline Bowmores. Mouth: actually good, with cherries and dates, although considerably anecdotal. Smoked chocolate, ham, then a rising sweet-and-savoury observe—nearly like African delicacies, which is superb, by the way in which. End: medium size, extra on raisins, PX, milk chocolate, and a contact of corn syrup. A faint trace of molasses. Feedback: I really feel like I am again across the yr 2000, with all these finishes they have been beginning to do—Claret, Darkest, and so on. Not completely my factor, however technically it’s totally effectively performed, even when it’s a bit on the candy aspect.
SGP:654 – 83 factors. |
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Properly, that is clearly the best state of affairs for indies with a pure model, or for actually sherry-matured ones… In actual fact, it’s in all probability a bit unfair for the official model.
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Bowmore 26 yo 1997/2023 (50.1%, The Whisky Blues, butt, cask #64, 317 bottles) 
Good heavens, by Vishnu, this one’s going to be a correct ordeal, so let’s rip the plaster off shortly, we could? Color: gold. Nostril: smoked almonds, lapsang souchong, camphor, seawater, oysters, and seaweed. With water: damp chalk, exhaust fumes, ashes, smoked almonds, cider apples, and clams. Mouth (neat): lemon, smoked salmon, ashes, brine, inexperienced olives, oregano, and tarragon. With water: bergamot and ashes, with a faintly oily texture. End: lengthy and exact, with tiny hints of candied ginger, extra lemon, crabs, ashes, lemon marmalade, and smoked ham. Feedback: no must say a lot, aside from that the sherry has been masterfully dealt with right here.
SGP:555 – 90 factors. |
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Bowmore 20 yo 2004/2024 (54.5%, Islay Sponge, Half V, refill hogshead, 183 bottles)
{That a} sponge would know its manner round a whisky as maritime as this comes as no shock (S., 1/5). Color: pale gold. Nostril: boot polish, camphor, oysters, low-tide seaside sand, seaweed, almond milk, and white asparagus… Crystal-clear and masterful. Wait, there are even faint notes of pure sponge, making this whisky completely round, even perhaps pataphysical. With water: oh sure, ashes, charcoal, polish, soot (from candles), and inexperienced apples. Mouth (neat): ashes and lemon, together with whelks and winkles. There you go. It’s maybe barely underwhelming in comparison with the nostril at first. With water: no, under no circumstances. Ashes, brine, oysters, Riesling, and lower apples. End: a lot the identical. A faintly oily aftertaste (orgeat syrup). Feedback: all through, it danced between 90 and 91. However out of deference and respect for the official bottling, let’s name it…
SGP:555 – 90 factors. |
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Bowmore 20 yo 2004/2024 (53.3%, WhiskyLand, refill hogshead, 171 bottles)
You already know, Whisky Sponge and WhiskyLand are a lot of a muchness. However wait, was 2004 actually 20 years in the past? Color: gold. Nostril: fairly much like the Sponge, which is actually excellent news. Maybe a contact extra mineral and barely much less expressive, but it surely good points in class. Suppose sushi, small lemons, finger lime, yuzu, and Sauvignon Blanc slightly than Riesling… With water: it will get even nearer to the Sponge, to the purpose the place telling them aside turns into tough. Mouth (neat): smoked lemon and cigar ashes in your glass. With water: barely tauter than the Sponge, with hints of melon and peach, however truthfully, you can drink a double magnum of every and nonetheless not inform them aside for sure. Greatest to skip that problem, I believe. End: excellent. Matte ashes and a contact of cocoa. Feedback: an impressive WhiskyCoast… I imply, WhiskyLand. The rating is merely anecdotal.
SGP:555 – 90 factors. |
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Complete respect for Bowmore, however pouring such a distillate into PX for ending, to me, is like drizzling cane syrup over ossetra caviar. Or sporting a Davy Crockett hat whereas driving your Aston Martin, to maintain inside a theme becoming the model. Anyway, see you subsequent time…
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