Bowmore 1971 18 Years Sestante (ABV 57.1%)

DESCRIPTION

A late 80s release of 18 year old Bowmore, distilled in 1971, for Italian independent Sestante.

TASTING NOTES (by Whiskyfun.com)

We already had a version of the 1971 ‘crest label’ at 40%, which I adored (WF 93) and a 15 yo that I’ve liked a little less (WF 85). Curious about this one now… Colour: pale amber. Nose: this is much purer and much straighter than the 1999, and better balanced I must say. A beautiful smokiness (peat but also charcoal), glowing echoes (what?) of tropical fruits (passion and mangoes), and just hints of dry sherry to complement this beautiful profile. Quite some chocolate and espresso. With water: wham! A perfect, chiselled old Bowmore nose. Not the ueberfruity ones from the 1960s, all this is more austere and ‘straight’, so to speak. Mouth (neat): ultra-brilliant attack, wide yet focused in a certain way. A maelstrom of jammy tropical fruits, peat and pepper. Little coastal notes here, and little brine/salt. With water: please call the anti-maltoporn brigade. A magical jam. Finish: long, jammy, peaty, spicy. It all remains wide and complex, which doesn’t happen too often in finishes. Peppery aftertaste. Comments: not your salty/briny Bowmore yet again, but this is plain brilliant in my opinion. A star. There also used to be a version at 53.7%, I have yet to taste it (and to find it!) SGP:566 - 94 points.

PRODUCT SUMMARY