Bowmore 10 (2014) Old Particular

Review by: Raygun

Old Particular is the mid-range Douglas Laing brand. A step up from Provenance, below Xtra Old Particular. Typically bottled at 48.4% as this is, unless it’s a store exclusive. Why they picked that strength, I don’t know. Bowmore is my favorite Islay, when it’s on. I’m sure many would disagree, but that’s how I feel. Typically I prefer it older though. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

Distillery: Bowmore

Bottler: Douglas Laing

Region/style: Islay single malt Scotch

ABV: 48.4%

Age: 10 years old. Distilled in 2014 and bottled in 2025.

Cask type: Refill bourbon cask #DL19841, 295 bottles

Color: 0.3 pale gold. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

Nose: Ashy and citrusy. It has plenty of coastal character as well. Buttered popcorn. Lemon curd.

Palate: Oh yes. I didn’t much tropical character from the nose, but the palate is heavy on passion fruit and mango drizzled with condensed milk. Yet not picking up much citrus. With plenty of salty, ashy Bowmore flavor. A pretty startling contrast to the nose.

Finish: Briny as before. More passion fruit and mango. Got some red grapefruit, too. The condensed milk is prominent. Not quite as ashy, but you can’t miss the peat.

Conclusion: I haven’t found the tropical flavors I look for in Bowmore in younger bottlings often. This is one of those exceptions. The nose was more citrus and smoke, but turned to passion fruit and mango on the palate. Really nice stuff. It doesn’t have the same complexity of the bottles that are 20+, and that’s no surprise. It’s also a lot cheaper. This is more than solid and I’m sure wasn’t too expensive. Another good Bowmore.

Score: 83

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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