Bowmore Master’s Selection Edition 1 21-Year
51.8% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: Bursting with tropical fruits and candy sweetness. Hints of pear and passionfruit combine with sweet honey, citrus, and a light touch of smoke. There’s a thick quality to the nose, with subtle coastal notes lingering in the background.
Taste: Initially fruity and sweet, with orange and dried floral notes. A wave of smoky petrichor and orchard fruits follows, with a classic coastal oiliness (not that common for Bowmore!)
Finish: Slightly drying with notes of oak, florals, and a tannic edge. A whisper of lavender lingers.
This is an outstanding Bowmore, though it comes with a price tag to match. Cask strength OB Bowmores are becoming increasingly rare, making this release all the more special.
The distillation likely took place between 1998 and 2000—an era I consider excellent for Bowmore distillate. While the wood influence is evident, there’s no doubt that the spirit itself still shines through.
At times, this whisky dips into those saline, maritime notes, and has hints of the infamous lavender (aka FWP) that I am a huge fan of. It's richly layered and deliciously complex. I can’t get enough of that finish!
By the time I got around to writing this review, I had already picked up the second and third editions of the Master’s Selection. With the fourth and final release just on the horizon, I’m excited to see how it will compare.
Note: I decided to experiment with GPT-4o to help refine this review after training it with some of my previous ones.
Details (Official): Released in 2021. A collaborative effort between the Bowmore Distillery and Aston Martin – the first release in the Masters' Selection series! This 21-year-old single malt was created by the teamwork of Bowmore master whisky maker Ron Welsh and Aston Martin chief creative officer Marek Reichman. Taking inspiration from the Golden Ratio, which is often considered when the Aston Martin team designs their cars, this single malt has been made with a carefully crafted recipe, with the components all adding character to the final flavour profile.
Tasting Notes (Official):Nose: Sweet and nutty with notes of Manuka honey and maple syrup, with praline and grilled hazelnuts; combine with rich aromas of freshly tanned leather.
Taste: Richly elegant sherry merges with raw Islay peat, whilst bitter dark chocolate unites with vanilla and coffee beans. A fruity flair is defined by Morello cherries and a touch of papaya.
Finish: Sweet, spicy and mouth warming, with notes of oak spices, chestnut cream and coconut lingering.
Tasted 25 September 2024. (Posted 4 October 2024.)
