Bowmore 11 years 1979 - 1990 75cl

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.

Bowmore Distillery

Bowmore Distillery is located on the shores of Loch Indaal in Bowmore, the capital of the island of Islay. Established in 1779, Bowmore is one of Scotland's oldest legal distilleries and has a rich history of craft whisky production.

A unique feature of Bowmore Distillery is the use of its own traditional malting floors, with the barley being hand-turned on floors within the distillery. This traditional process, combined with the use of locally sourced peat, gives Bowmore whiskies their distinctive balance of smokiness and fruity complexity.

Bowmore whiskies are matured in a combination of ex-bourbon casks and sherry casks, contributing to their deep and complex flavour profile with notes of honey, lemon, sea salt and a subtle smokiness. Its location on the shores of Loch Indaal also provides maritime influences, which are reflected in the whiskies' character.

The combination of historical tradition, unique production methods and the influence of the Islay environment makes Bowmore an iconic name in the world of Scotch single malt whisky.