The last post this week in the Wine finishes series deals with a Bowmore. Yes, I’ve not really been a fan od Bowmore . So i liked the ‘Tempest’ 10 year old, but most of their OB line-up is not really exciting. But this finish did interest me and i decided to give it a try, see what’s it all about.
This dram is aged for six years in bourbon casks, then aged an additional ten years in Bordeaux wine casks which should give it an interesting edge.
Ok, enough said, let’s carry on.
Bowmore 1992 , 16 Bordeaux finish ,53.5% ABV, £60
Nose: Big wine influence here, you can’t go wrong. Red fruit : Berries, grapes. Tannins and smoke. soft peat smoke. a few lemony notes here and there and also plum sugar.
Palate: Tannins are screaming over here, body is oily and nice. very grapey/winey stuff . then comes the peat, engulfing, big peat. you wouldn’t suspect it from the nose, but it delivers very nice and appetizing peat. (don’t expect a supernova here ok?) smoke, leather and some damp oak as well come into mind. soapy. (Bowmore or not eh?)
Finish : Long , dry, Smoke lingers and some fruits as well. a bit dusty and bitter on the end.
Summing it up:
This one is nice, for a Bowmore i mean… but i do prefer the Longrow over it any time. The extra ABV do help it, but it’s more tamed and less kicking then the Longrow. But, again very nice.
Now if i had to rate all three expression i reviewed this week the standings would be:
- Longrow Gaja Barolo
- Bowmore 1992
- Bruichladdich Infinity 3.1
Not bad after all, Wine finishes can be really good, when combined with a nice peaty backbone. My advise to all of you : Experiment. Don’t surrender to prejudice.There are far too many finishes done by many distilleries, but the very best of them are outstanding. The majority are , mediocre at best. Try, and see which you like and which you dislike.
Experiment, Live, Dram! (experimenter,Vivre,Dram)
Slainte!