Bowmore 16 Year (2004) SMWS 3.320 “Smoky white wine sangria”

Review by: Raygun

Not much to add to what’s already been said about Bowmore. Great potential, which is unfortunately not realized in most OB releases. Every once in a while they’ll do a special release that makes you wonder why they can’t put out stuff like that regularly. For the most part, we’re left with IBs for good Bowmore. And SMWS puts out a bunch of them. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

Distillery: Bowmore 

Bottler: Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Region/style: Islay single malt Scotch

ABV: 56.9%. Cask strength. 

Age: 16 years. Distilled on February 6, 2004. Bottled in 2021. 

Cask type: Second fill ex-bourbon barrel, 205 bottles.

Color: 0.3 pale gold. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

Nose: Hot damn. A yeasty and smoky smell, like charred bread. Lemons, oranges, pears, and melon. Scones. 

Palate: Follows up on the nose. Smoky, but also wonderfully bright and fruity. Lemon sorbet. With a biscuity or shortcake quality which is great. SMWS names can get ridiculous, but this one is a good fit. Got the melon and buttery quality of Chardonnay, the citrus of a Sauvignon Blanc, and a great level of smoke which doesn’t dominate everything. 

Finish: Fruit, shortcake, smoke. Even richer here, I’d say. The wood is restrained, but the mouthfeel is great. No big transition from the palate, but the flavors linger nicely. 

Conclusion: Just wonderful. The lows of Bowmore are pretty low, but the highs—might be my favorite peated whisky. I know some swear by Octomore, but I’d rather have something like this. This sort of smoky and fruity combo does it for me. If only this sort of thing were more readily available. 

Buy a bottle? Will see if I can find on auction for a decent price.  

Score: 88

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
  • 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

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