Whisky Galore Bowmore 16 Year Old

[cigardawg]

Whisky Galore Bowmore 16 Year Old Islay Scotch. Distilled in 1987 and bottled in 2004. Aged in Oak. Unchillfiltered. Bottled at 46%. Standard tall bottle, no additional packaging.

Color: Chardonnay. Cloudy when chilled.

Nose: The nose is oaky-smokey with some fruit esters for sweetness. The ice brings down the oak and releases the esters to a greater degree. After time, the smoke also increases. Not a complex nose.

Taste: Neat, there are tastes of light smoke, oak and malt. The esters don't come through. The ice tames the alcohol allowing a more intense smokey flavor.. As it waters down, the esters finally come through, though not to any great degree.

Finish: Short finish. It is slightly astringent with some smoke. A bit of oakiness hangs around as well.

Balance: This is a very straight forward, un-complex scotch. It delivers exactly what the nose seems to promise. This bottle only costs around $30 and is well worth it. I've had several friends seek this out after trying it.

 

[NullSmurf]

As will I, thanks Scot!

 

[AVB]

You need to say that the $30 price is a special sale from Binny's. I looked around and the absolute cheapest was $51 with most $60-70 if you can't get the Binny's price.

Interesting review, for $30 I have to agree it would be a good deal, for $60 I think there would be others I'd look at.

 

[CoventryCat86]

WOW, for $30.00 that's a heck of a deal! At this early point in my single malt career, I'm a huge Islay fan and I've been trying to find an affordable one so I don't finish off my fancy ones. :laugh: AVB found a liquor store near me that has Lagavulin 16yo for less than $50.00 so I've already bought three bottles. :0

This Bowmore Whisky Galore 16yo sure sounds like one I should add. Tonight's dram was Caol Ila 18yo.

Thanks for the review Scot! :thumbs:

 

[cigardawg]

You need to say that the $30 price is a special sale from Binny's. I looked around and the absolute cheapest was $51 with most $60-70 if you can't get the Binny's price.

Interesting review, for $30 I have to agree it would be a good deal, for $60 I think there would be others I'd look at.

You are right on many counts. I should have mentioned the Binny's pricing (good until the 26th of this month). You are also right about the $50-$60 range...many more that I would turn to at that range. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[drew_goring]

WOW, for $30.00 that's a heck of a deal! At this early point in my single malt career, I'm a huge Islay fan and I've been trying to find an affordable one so I don't finish off my fancy ones. :laugh: AVB found a liquor store near me that has Lagavulin 16yo for less than $50.00 so I've already bought three bottles. :0

This Bowmore Whisky Galore 16yo sure sounds like one I should add. Tonight's dram was Caol Ila 18yo.

Thanks for the review Scot! :thumbs:

The Bowmore 12 year is IMO an amazing bargain. I can get it up here for around 36CAD. One of my favorites for sure. I like it better than Lagavulin 16.