Last time we tasted a couple of younger whiskies from the AD Rattray line up – this time we visit an older Bowmore.
AD Rattray Bowmore 20 $120
Cask: Bourbon (#271)
Distilled: February 26, 1990
Bottled: October 27, 2010
No. of Bottles: 235
ABV: 54%
Color: Light gold
Nose: Wafts of peat and seaside brine, a cakey sweetness underneath the peat, none of the red fruit complexity that I tend to get from Bowmore. This initially seems like straight forward peat but with time it filled out with coastal breeze, spice and sweet notes.
With water: Sweeter with the water, airs out – becomes lighter, more of the bourbon influence becomes present, some citrus.
Palate: Very oily, big peat forward and fading smoke, a bitter tinge in the middle, oak spice, surprisingly light for a 20 year old. A lot more subtle than expected.
With water: Becomes more ashy, softens the spices, dusty, drying, earthy, juice-like sweetness.
Finish: Medium with a full flavor profile of peat, ash, spice and sweetness.
A delicate but full flavored older Bowmore, a different dimension from this distillery, almost Caol Ila like with the sweetness and ash, I really enjoyed this one. Great balance of flavors.