I’ve tasted a few proper festival releases in the last months. The Clynelish 20yo 200th Anniversary from the Highlands Festival comes the mind, but the Caol Ila for Feis Ile 2019 even more so.
However, a 15-year-old Bowmore matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon casks should be something to behold as well. A total of 3,000 bottles were filled for this year’s Festival, priced at 85 pounds. That’s a great deal if there ever was one.
Bowmore 15 Years Old (51.7%, OB, Feis Ile 2019)
Nose: A nice salinity gives it a subtle coastal influence, as do the kippers, but it’s mainly the tropical fruits that strike a note with me. Sweet mango, tinned pineapple, pear skin, lychees and tangerine. This is damn near perfect early 2000s Bowmore to me.
Taste: A whiff of smoke and tar, but subtle and with great harmony. Somewhat briny and a pinch of seaweed. Those classic Bowmore fruits in the background just really do it for me. Some bitter grapefruit, lychees again, a touch of lemon peel as well. Finally a touch of white pepper.
Finish: Smoke, peat, lemon and salt. Long.
Score: 90
A stunner. I’m an absolute sucker for these types of Bowmore releases. Love the balance and above all the complexity. When Bowmore does it right, they’re unbeatable on Islay. Just my humble opinion.
Photo: Limited Whisky Investment
Brilliant review! Do you know if the Bowmore Feis ile 2019 15 year old is non-chill filtered?
It doesn’t explicitly say so on the label, but I’d be extremely surprised if it isn’t.