Bowmore 21yo

Of all Islay malts, the one from this distillery is known for being only moderately peated, and 21 years of maturation mellowed out the smokiness further. As expected, it’s initially diffi cult to fi nd an obvious peaty character at the nose: the stage is taken by noticeable fruitiness, by candied oranges, fl our, and especially by very farmy notes. Leather and damp earth are evident, ultimately turning into a pleasantly oaky aroma reminding of an old library. The fruitiness comes back at the palate, even more intense: overripe tropical fruits and oranges, raisins, for a profi le that’s initially surprisingly sweet. Slowly, peat smoke is making its presence felt, and sweetness is replaced by red tea, liquorice root, and an increasingly tannic, oaky, earthy and spicy style. Juicy, bold and robust, but well rounded.