Bowmore 12 Year Old

Bowmore, established in 1779, is said to be the first distillery opened on the isle of Islay. Notably, the distillery continues to source malt from the island and has an active traditional floor malting process, however, this is bolstered with industrially malted barley from the mainland. Personally, the distillery holds some significance for me as I once had a torrid love affair with a pour of the Bowmore 15 year old in the inimitable Aero Club bar in San Diego, early in my whisky journey. The experience was eye—rather, mind—opening for me, dramatically expanding the horizons of flavor and complexity that I had so far experienced in a whisky. Undoubtedly, some part of that magic was the product of inexperience and inebriation, but, as they say, you never forget your first time.

As far as Islay Malts are concerned, the Bowmore 12 year showcases a relatively gentle peat, so those for whom the power of the bog holds no charm need feel no concern. The malt pours a rich yellow-gold, with an ever-so-slightly green cast. Soft smoke at the top of the nose gives way to a bright, tropical bouquet of citrus; kiwi, lemon curd, and vanilla custard with a bit of graham crust. The palate is similarly soft, lead by peat and malt character, with a long finish of tanned leather and allspice. The overall impression is of a picnic on a cool day in fall, with slate skies and a slightly mineral taste to the air, to drink one last glass of Sauvignon blanc and one last slice of lemon pie before the weather fully turns to winter; it's a refined, inviting experience, but not without a certain Hebridean flintiness. This would make an excellent gift bottle for the younger enthusiast or an acquaintance with whose tastes you are not overly familiar.

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