Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 1
The Tempest-series from Bowmore is an excellent example of a quality official distillery release that has an age statement, is bottled at cask strength and is also affordable. We’re currently at batch 6, but I bought batch 4 for just under 40 euro not too lang ago. Now that’s bang for your buck.
All Tempest-batches have matured in first-fill bourbon casks. Batch 1 stems from six years ago already, and has become somewhat of a classic release. Whisky buddy Geert is in possession of a bottle, and he was kind enough to share a sample of the release that started it all.
Bowmore Tempest 10yo (55,3%, OB, Batch 1)
Nose: Fresh peat, vegetal, white pepper and smoke. A bit sharp and malty. Citrussy too, with a touch of honey and white chocolate.
Taste: Peat smoke, earthy. Lots of citrus, mostly lemon. Salt and pepper, wood spices also.
Finish: Salt, lemon and smoke. Fairly long.
Rating: 86
If you’re into light and fresh Islay-style whisky, than you’ll enjoy the Tempest. This is a good whisky, priced just above entry-level whiskies, but so much better.
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
I have an unopened bottle of Batch 1, given as a gift. my dilemma is do I drink it? or keep it as an investment? as a Yorkshireman and whiskey lover I am torn.
Help!!
All depends on your finances, I guess. If you don’t need the money and are the whiskylover you say you are, than there’s only one logical answer to your question.