Tasting notes by WhiskyFun.com

Tomas’ Bowmore 11 yo 1979/1990 (58.4%, Cadenhead, dumpy black label)

One of the very last black dumpies. This should be quite a palate cleanser!

Colour: white wine.

Nose: heavy notes of Vicks Vaporub, camphor, eucalyptus, cough syrup, pine smoke, liquorice, sauna oils… This baby will cure any cold! And probably many other diseases. With water: a lot of lemongrass coming through, Schweppes lemon, soot… It’s got something of modern Longrow.

Mouth: punches you in your face and doesn’t run off. Loads of smoked sweets and pinesap drops, pineapple bonbons, then bitter herbs, Fernet Branca… Gets very herbal indeed. With water: becomes very thick, very oily, with sooty lemons and pepper – and rather less peat. And rather more salt.

Finish: long, lemony, always very salty. A little ginger in the aftertaste.

Comments: a very restless beat. Fatter than others, oily, salty, extreme. Loved it, it followed the old glories without having anything to be ashamed of.

SGP:567 – 91 points.