Bowmore Gold Reef

The first pour is Bowmore, a travel retail exclusive from the Windsor-Detroit tunnel duty free. This NAS Islay single malt is bottled at 43% ABV and has added colorant, indicated by "mit farbstoff" on its label. It is likely chill filtered. The label's aroma description includes "vanilla, coconut milk, delicious baked peaches, oranges and lemons." My first impression of the aroma was a strange funkiness, reminiscent of damp boxes containing old oranges. However, after letting it sit and taking a sip, I found the label's notes to be quite accurate. Toasted coconut and vanilla were prominent, alongside fruity notes of apricots and peaches, and citrusy orange and lemon peels. It felt bright and warm, with a hint of dusty oak. The coconut became more noticeable over time, and a subtle vegetal peat emerged, though without any smoke. Sea salt was also present. After a while, faint notes of sherried fruits like raisins and dates appeared. The palate is described as "tangy peat, pineapple, juicy mango and kiwi fruit tempered by sea salt and olive oil." Similar to the aroma, the initial taste was unusual, but I persevered. Apart from the olive oil, the palate description was spot on. Light vegetal peat, underripe mango, pineapple, and kiwi were evident, presenting some of the most intense tropical fruit flavors I've encountered in a scotch. It had a slight peppery quality that grew stronger with time, along with hints of honey and oak. The mouthfeel was medium-bodied and a bit oily. The finish was medium in length, featuring orange mango juice and mild peat. I was initially unsure about this dram. If judged solely on my first nosing and tasting, it would have scored a 3 or possibly 2.75. This highlights the importance of patience and repeated evaluation when assessing a whisky. I grew to appreciate this one. It's packed with tropical fruits, and the light peat provides a nice touch. Considering I paid around $40-45 USD for a 1L bottle, it earns a solid 4. It's not overly intricate and is likely under 8 years old, but it's vibrant, lively, and enjoyable. Perfect for a warm day, like today's 87-degree weather in Detroit. It would also likely be excellent in a tropical cocktail. Cheers.

Getting back into scotch after a pause, I received a travel retail exclusive sample from a friend. This is a new NAS single malt from Bowmore. It's bottled at 43% with added coloring and is chill filtered. I've always been a Bowmore admirer. Their basic, smoky Islay malts were my introduction. As I gained more experience, I moved on from them for peated whisky. The Ardbegs, Laphroigs, and Lagavulins from the island have become my favorites, and I haven't really returned. That's why I was thrilled to get a sample I couldn't obtain myself to properly revisit Bowmore. On the nose, it starts with a pleasant burst of Caribbean fruit - sweet and very potent. The smoke is well-integrated and smooths the edges, but simultaneously, I believe it also removes what should be a vibrant and zesty initial impression. The palate mirrors the nose closely. The oily tropical fruit coats the tongue, and a great touch of salt reminds you this is a blend of malts aged lovingly at or near sea level. There's just enough smoke to completely mask the bitterness that should be present with juice that's definitely under 10 years old. A little heat builds gradually and carries into the medium-length finish. This is where the youth finally appears, growing into a nice burn and leaving you ready for another sip. Overall, a very competent Bowmore malt. Regardless of age statement, this one was clearly well blended and made from good stock. If the ABV were higher and it packed a bit more punch, I think it would rank among the best I've had from Bowmore. As it stands, it's a strong 4.25-4.5. I'd enjoy having a full bottle on hand for times I want to revisit memories and reconnect with my younger days as a scotch enthusiast. Thanks again to my friend. This is a winner in my opinion. Cheers.

One of the advantages of being part of a whisky group is that members often have the resources or luck to acquire something that others can't. That's how I got this whisky, as a friend was able to get it during his travels and shared it with us. It would likely be out of reach for me since my own travels are usually limited to domestic trips. This sample had a scent profile quite unlike most whiskies I've encountered. It starts with a vinyl or plastic synthetic aroma on the nose; very artificial. After some time, the "artificial" smell diminishes, and notes of waxy orange and cereal, like Cheerios, emerge. Dried straw, vanilla, and a hint of maritime scents, including salt, brine, and seaweed, complete the bouquet. The palate is met with black pepper spice, accompanied by sour and bitter notes alongside the spice. The flavors require some effort to find, with roasted almonds among them. Further exploration reveals earthy, mineral, and metallic notes, again touched with a hint of salted caramel and vanilla. The finish is long and features the bitterness of orange and lemon rinds. Drying wood tannins are present, along with another touch of vanilla. This is a peculiar and distinctive whisky, a blend of earth and sea. It's a whisky that invites contemplation, with mild complexity, and requires slow sipping to be fully appreciated. However, the flavors are somewhat muted or dull, perhaps due to tired casks? It doesn't particularly impress or excite. If the flavors were more vibrant, it could be an inspiring dram. Nevertheless, it's suitable for sipping while reading a book or e-reader during a quiet moment to enhance the mood. [Dry glass: sawdust][85/100][Tasted: 6/27/17]

A travel retail exclusive from a friend. Awesome sauce! I can smell an abundant amount of oily fruit in there. Nice, there is even a slight amount of peat on the nose too, with a beach campfire (S'mores with milk chocolate.. oh yes). Ride with me here down to the palate. At 43%, we are going to Neatland. It has a surprisingly thick medium mouth coat, along with a blast of peaches and cream, smoke, iodine, nectarines, and sulfur. The finish brings the sulfur into a rhubarb pie with a bitter fruity coda. Wow, not what I was expecting from such a low ABV. All I can think of are "taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnngerines", so the theme of this dram is, without a doubt, "She Don't Use Jelly" by The Flaming Lips. Oh yes, it exceeded my expectations with a 4.25, my friends.

Another stop in round 2 of our Scottish distillery sampling, this one shared by a friend. I've never had a Bowmore, so I was anticipating this experience, especially since this particular bottling is a travel exclusive (I'm still trying to understand the business strategy behind that... perhaps to test new products?). Anyway, keeping this brief and straightforward: this is like biting into a Saltine cracker with a splash of orange. A solid 3, but you can't beat the price -- a no-brainer to buy if you're traveling (though a liter?? Why??!).

Despite a lower score on distiller, a few recent positive reviews gave me hope. The 18 was still fresh in my memory, though now gone, so I moved on to this. A faint whiff of the Bowmore flavor profile and a hint of honey, but that was all for me. No bad notes, but not much else either. I'll generously give it a 3.