It was Bowmore day yesterday with the Inevitable queuing for the Golden and Silver ticket. This year , The Golden ticket “winners” could get hold of a 26 Year Old Port cask at 350 quid, while “silver” got you a 11-year-old Oloroso Sherry & Bordeaux Wine casks both at Cask strength. I was tempted to wait inline and score both, and after getting up really early (4-ish) and hurrying over to Bowmore, we joined the line. Luckily this year, the heavens were merciful, and we had a bit of sunshine, and no rain at all. 3 hours later i was the lucky owner of a 11 year old bottle (and a 26, which I have yet to sample). I was quite sceptical if the Oloroso & Wine combination would work, but was willing to give it a try, at 60 quid it’s not a bad deal, is it?
Bowmore Feis Ile 2017 edition 11 yo, 53.8%, Sold out (you may find some on Auction soon)
Nose: This is clearly a sweet sort of whisky, and not very surprising if you look at the cask profile : First of all there’s a nice chocolate feeling to it, with some Bon-bons infused with cherry liquor, some golden syrup, sherry, and a lovely smokiness under the fruit, white pepper and maybe a touch of clove, and berry jam.
Palate: Milk chocolate up front, red and black berry in liquor, some berry jam too, there’s a lovely touch of salt as well, which balances nicely those sweet-ish flavours, we’re on Islay after all, aren’t we? A touch of wood, and pepper, make up for a lovely palate.
Finish: Blackcurrant Jam , chocolate , cocoa and a certain vinous touch to it (hey, it’s a wine cask matured whisky).
Bottom line:
I must say I am pleasantly surprised by this lovely Bowmore. Wine and Sherry do work well together apparently, and Bowmore chose wisely. A lovely mouthfeel, and a very good desert whisky, would go wonderfully well with some quality chocolate truffles. Bingo. At 60 quid it’s a very good VFM. recommended!