Review by: Raygun

20+ Bowmore in bourbon at cask strength? What’s not to like? Not to mention from the Symington’s Choice series, a limited series of high-end bottles from Signatory a year or so ago. Presumably personally selected by Signatory founder Andrew Symington. The Benrinnes from the series I found overly drowned in sherry, and I’m glad they went with a bourbon cask on this Bowmore. Not that Bowmore doesn’t do well in sherry or other wines. I’ve heard that IB Bowmore casks are drying up; they’re getting more expensive for sure. Which is a damn shame, when it’s just about my favorite peated Scotch. Have to try it when I can. Reviewed from a bar pour. Rested about 10 minutes. 

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Distillery: Bowmore   

Bottler: Signatory Vintage  

Region/style: Islay single malt Scotch

ABV: 52.2%. Cask strength.   

Age: 24 years old. Distilled on March 28, 2000 and bottled on August 21, 2024.   

Cask type: Bourbon barrel #800090, 172 bottles.      

Color: Too dark to tell. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Very Bowmore, smoky and saline. Driftwood fire on a beach. Grapefruit, ocean spray, grilled scallops. More honey with time. Nicely oaky.                

Palate: Nose was a little shy, but the palate is not. Lemon curd and buttery pastry, like a smoky lemon eclair. Grilled scallops, camphor, beeswax, and honey drizzled on biscuits. Still pretty smoky even at this age. 

Finish: More smoke, brine, and citrus. Little bit of passion fruit, but not a very tropical Bowmore. Grilled scallops, charred lemon, and honey. Loses a bit of the complexity of the palate.         

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Conclusion: Symington’s Choice seems to be mostly sherry casks, but not this one. No big surprises here. Pretty classic bourbon cask Bowmore, though not as tropical as some. The peat is hardly gentle, but doesn’t completely dominate the other elements. Blends sweet and savory quite well. Drinks pretty easily, but hardly one-dimensional. I could imagine it disappearing pretty quickly if I had a bottle, though I’m sure it’s more than I’d pay.

Score: 88

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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)