Bowmore Vault Edition First Release Atlantic Sea Salt

So, this new release from Bowmore is part of their Vault Editions, which isn't their best work. My understanding is that a series is released yearly, each identified by the flavor profile they aim for. This is the First Edition, named Atlantic Sea Salt. Bowmore is basing this initial launch on their well-known Vault No. 1, which is actually below sea level and is responsible for the salty and briny characteristics in many of their products. The color is a muted gold with little viscosity, and due to the elevated proof of 51.5%, it doesn't leave many droplets clinging to the glass when swirled. I don't think this is truly cask strength, but it's significantly higher than standard offerings. The aroma fully delivers on the salty notes: brininess and preserved fish are prominent from the start and remain consistent, even after 15-20 minutes. Pine and wood shavings are present alongside some peculiar lemon, with a cleaning product scent that is slightly irritating to the nose. The characteristic Bowmore smoke is so subdued that it only suggests lightly scorched wood. Fortunately, the sulphuric notes I often find in Bowmore are well concealed. The salt on the palate doesn't mask the smoke, which is good, and some earthy peat notes emerge while leaving that lemon cleaner flavor and faint sulphur notes to compete, which might be more off-putting. The alcohol content becomes noticeable mid-sip and pushes away most of the unpleasant notes. The finish is of moderate duration but is quite intense. Some sharp oak tannins and lemon zest add vibrancy but significantly detract from the texture. The youth of the spirit doesn't help either. Intense and dry are the key descriptors here. Overall, there are aspects I appreciate: grilled lemon and fish on the nose and palate, but there are aspects I dislike: the finish is extremely harsh and reintroduces some of the sulphuric notes. Those notes are the primary reason many of Bowmore's standard range don't work for me. I particularly enjoy higher proof and very aged bottles from this distillery, but the high alcohol content here can't compensate for the saltiness or sulphur, leading to a lower score. This bottle also cost around $88, which is still excessive for the quality. I'm hoping the next Vault Edition is an improvement. A score of 2.5-2.75 stars. Cheers.

Bowmore tasting event at The Oak Barrel, Sydney, June 26th 2019: Whisky #5 Nose: Brine, seaweed, anchovies, citrus fruit, and slightly salty vanilla. A dry, resinous woodiness accompanies the typical Bowmore citrus characteristic. The smoke has a peculiar, contained quality. It's difficult to describe – almost as if most of the smoke has been artificially removed. Some dark floral notes emerge, but salt is the dominant element. Palate: A briny, spicy, sweet, hot, and smoky initial taste that develops into dryness. It could almost be mistaken for mezcal instead of whisky. The progression is disappointingly straightforward – lemon, brine, and tannins... with more brine. There are some pleasant smoke notes, but overall it's quite one-dimensional and surprisingly mild in character. Finish: Medium/long. Salty and dry, transitioning into a dusty cocoa aftertaste. This is a very restrained and excessively salty whisky. Adding water expands the character and introduces some much-needed sweetness and balance... until it abruptly falls apart. This was the first in a series of expressions intended to explore the “four pillars” of the Bowmore profile, focusing on salt. However, this entire concept seems fundamentally flawed to me. If these four characteristics are equally important, why create an intentionally unbalanced expression? It possesses some intriguing aspects, but for me, it resembled a flawed rendition of Tempest No. 6, and the kicker is that this less-than-average whisky costs more than Bowmore 18. "Adequate": 74/100 (2.25 stars)

One of the most amusing recurring elements in The Fantastic Mr. Fox is how characters repeatedly describe the protagonist's son, Ash, as being a little "different" (complete with a signature hand gesture). This special Sea Salt release from Bowmore is certainly *waves hands around* different. It's not bad-different, precisely, nor is it amazing-different, just... different. Salt wasn't the primary characteristic on my palate. Instead, this tasted young, medicinal, and herbal, with significant amounts of acidic citrus and a slight drying sensation that made my mouth pucker. Some might interpret that astringency as saltiness. This dram offers a taste unlike anything else I've experienced in Bowmore's range, bringing to mind peated Bunnahabhain or some of the unusual offerings from Bruichladdich. To the extent the objective was to create something entirely unique from Bowmore's distillate, that goal was achieved. The remaining question is whether consumers want to spend $125+ for it.

The nose is gentle and sweet, reminiscent of a spring meadow with hints of caramel. It's sweeter than anticipated, with that sweetness staying on the tongue. However, it possesses a significant bite that numbs the tip of your tongue and stings your throat. A small amount of water improves it considerably. There's the faintest trace of smoke and peat.

Certainly sea salt on the nose, along with grilled lemons and possibly kelp. A splash of water releases a waft of minty smoke. Lemon and pears on the palate, with a tangy, creamy smoke. A long, salty finish. Quite enjoyable; I favor this much more than the sweeter standard offerings.

Smells strongly of salty fish fresh from the ocean, with a hint of smoke. It tastes as it smells, but the smoke is more prominent. I liked it better neat than with ice, though the ice did enhance the salt and pepper finish.