Nederlanofficial Bowmore, courtesy our Luxemburgian friend Guy S. Please note that according to his owner, the bottle was leaking a bit. Colour: white wine. Nose: Jesus! Sure this one whispers a little low at first nosing, but what a marvellous combination of pink grapefruits, passion fruits and mangos! Then we have notes of fresh butter from the farm (not the poor super-pasteurised supermarket stuff) and a very delicate ashiness that, indeed, can be related to the youngsters’. Exceptional whiffs of lemon liqueur too, oysters, clams, wet wool, dairy cream… What a magnificent nose, extremely complex and very delicate… Very classy spirit! Mouth: okay, maybe it’s a tad less expressive here in the attack but the general profile is absolutely beautiful, starting right on medicinal notes (cough drops and such) and on this fascinating mix of peat and tropical fruits that’s only to be found in (some) old Bowmores. Picks up steam, with fresh almonds, green tea and all things maritime, including salt (of course), then something like peated lemons cooked in seawater (gulp!)… It’s amazing how lively this one is! A leaking bottle? Are you 100% sure, Guy? Finish: not long of course but marvellously clean, a little more almondy, with the peat glimmering on your palate together with a little lemon marmalade. Not unlike one of the very best old Rieslings in style. Comments: what can I say, except that it’s too bad that this 'Botticelli in glass' will cost you quite a few thousand Euros, should you plan to acquire one. Oh, and beware, there are some fakes around! SGP:555 (a perfect balance, is it not!)ds
