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| Hello, that is one among our (virtually) each 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 unbiased 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 mandatory? However in fact, we do love Bowmore, so whether or not it is PX-finished or not, it may 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? (In fact they’ll). Color: amber. Nostril: I really feel the sherry and peat considerably cancel one another out, however with out inflicting any actual concern. It is advisable to give it time, however then the figs, raisins, and dates from the PX come via, 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’ favor the extra crystalline Bowmores. Mouth: actually good, with cherries and dates, although considerably anecdotal. Smoked chocolate, ham, then a rising sweet-and-savoury word—virtually like African delicacies, which is great, 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 many others. Not solely my factor, however technically it’s totally properly performed, even when it’s a bit on the candy facet.
SGP:654 – 83 factors. |
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Properly, that is clearly the perfect scenario for indies with a pure model, or for actually sherry-matured ones… The truth is, it’s in all probability slightly 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 have to 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 approach round a whisky as maritime as this comes as no shock (S., 1/5). Color: pale gold. Nostril: boot polish, camphor, oysters, low-tide seashore sand, seaweed, almond milk, and white asparagus… Crystal-clear and masterful. Wait, there are even faint notes of pure sponge, making this whisky totally round, maybe even 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 reduce 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)
, Whisky Sponge and WhiskyLand are a lot of a muchness. However wait, was 2004 actually 20 years in the past? Color: gold. Nostril: fairly just like the Sponge, which is actually excellent news. Maybe a contact extra mineral and barely much less expressive, nevertheless it positive aspects in magnificence. Assume 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 actually, you could possibly drink a double magnum of every and nonetheless not inform them aside for sure. Finest to skip that problem, I feel. 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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Whole 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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