Bowmore Islay Single Malt Whisky 21 Year Old

Colour

Deep copper.

Nose

Delicate, fruity and mineral. Commencing with chalky sand and rocky wet slate, this Bowmore’s minerality extends into its subtle smoke – coal dust, tar and a fire in a gravel pit, but all rather restrained and integrated with the other flavours. Slightly sherried, this offers heathery honey, melon, light fresh berries and a good whack of orange segments and peels. A few drops of water really heightens the orange-esque aroma into tangerines and satsumas. It also adds some light chocolate and coastal influence – rock pool water.

Palate

Sweet with ashy peat. Minerality continues, granite and slate mingle with chalky ashy peat, but are livened by very fresh, tart lemon and grapefruit juices. Orange peels, sour cherries and hedgerow berries make for a particularly fruity palate. Cask influence can be felt more keenly here – old wood beams, antique furniture and some ginger spicing. Water heightens the woody elements of this whisky further, emphasising oak and astringency, but also adding coffee beans and light chocolate.

Finish

Medium long and packed full of tangy citrus and chalky minerality.