Bowmore 17 Year Old Douglas Laing Old Particular 1998 Single Cask DL11007 (2015) 70cl
A Bowmore 17 Year Old Single Cask. What a joy!
Everything we love about this distillery in a single cask with some more ageing. What is not to like? We have this rare beast that was sold back in 2015 and only 333 bottles available
Bowmore is located in the centre of Islay and occupies a central role in the island’s whiskies. The distillery has retained its own floor maltings which account for 40% of its needs and when mixed with malt from the mainland results in a medium peated spirit.
Its smoke, reminiscent of beach bonfires, mingles with a distinctly saline note, flowers, cereal, citrus and underneath a touch of tropical fruit. It is this character which, when matured in refill casks for a long period of time, becomes the primary aroma, the peat seemingly disappearing completely.
A significant percentage of the make is aged in ex-Sherry butts which take Bowmore off in another direction – one of dark fruits, chocolate, coffee, citrus and smoke. The extensive range picks and chooses between these extremes. A significant percentage of the distillery’s whisky is matured on the island, with the distillery’s No.1 Vaults being held to have the most extraordinary microclimate. This chill, damp environment – the vault is below the level of Loch Indaal and one wall makes up the town’s sea wall – is seen as ideal for long-term maturation.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Spicy and Sweet, lightly smoky, burnt Christmas pudding and caramelised oranges
Palate: Oily, sweet and smoky, with peated malt, develops to soft tar and mouth coating spices
Finish: Long, salty and sweet with smoked spices dark chocolate and a rich liquorice quality.
48.4% ABV
70cl
