Bowmore 12 years 100cl - Bot. 1980's

This release dates back to the 1980s. This label was first launched in 1979 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Islay's oldest distillery.

Besides this 12-year-old edition, there was also an edition without age marking on the market. In 1988, they switched back to different bottles and labels.

So the contents of this bottle were distilled in the 1960s early 1970s.

Tasting notes Angus MacRaild (WhiskyFun.com) 92/100 points

There's many variations of this iteration of the 12yo, with some being a lot better than others in my experience. Of course that can be due to changing production at Bowmore, but I think these bottles also tend to show quite changeable levels of OBE (old bottle effect) these days too. But from this time period and in a litre bottle at 43%, our hopes are high…

Colour: deep gold.

Nose: we need not fear! There is OBE for sure, with these wee hints of metal polish and soot, but they are in fact rather thrilling with this combination of dried exotic fruits, tropical fruit teas, very gentle, pristinely drying peat smoke and then more earthy things like medicinal roots, honey roasted vegetables, tar extract and medicinal herbs such as verbena and wormwood. I also find tiny notes of honey and waxy lemons - a gorgeous nose!

Mouth: superb and surprisingly peaty, many various exotic fruit notes but still tending towards dried and crystallised ones, and also those lovely exotic fruit tea impressions. Within all that there's also these deified Bowmore passionfruit notes. We should be comfortably in 1960s distillate here and it shows. I also find a little more sherry influence than I'd anticipate in these batches usually and here it adds a gorgeous, resinous and sharp saltiness to the palate.

Finish: long, stunningly peaty, fresh, nervously coastal and showcasing many beautiful preserved exotic fruit notes. Still pin sharp and super fresh!

Comments: no quibbles here, a benchmark example of fruity old school Bowmore and delivered with remarkable freshness and power. Probably an example in this series where the time in bottle delivered only positive results.
SGP: 654 - 92 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.

Please note

This bottle was bottled a long time ago. Please be careful when opening. The closure may have deteriorated. The item is sold as photographed and described. We do not accept any liability for the condition of the closure.