Bowmore Black Rock
40% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: Sweet, floral smoke, ripe pears, citrus, with oak spices and fresh incense sticks at the beach.
Taste: Very light, with dried fruits now and the smoke and spice sitting in the background. Wood spices.
Finish: Slightly drying with fading ash and charred wood,... distant fruit and salt.
Despite this being a mere 40% ABV and a bottle that is primarily for the duty free travel stores (which tend to come with a bad rap of being "not great whisky"), I find this Bowmore to be particularly delicious. And I can say that for the rest of the lineup that released at the same time: Gold Reef and White Sands 17-Year.
The 1L bottles are such great value… and I don’t feel so FOMO-y when I pour the generously for friends—plenty to go around. An age statement would have been nice, but it wasn’t the style at the time you see!
Details: Travel Retail Exclusive, c.2014.
Tasting Notes (Official): On the eye dark amber. Breathe in classic Bowmore smokiness with raisins, pepper, warm cocoa beans and burnt orage. Sip rich sherry and peat smoke followed by blackcurrant, treacle toffee and cinnamon spice. Savour beautifully balanced peat smoke and sea salt.
Tasted 6 December 2023. (Posted 8 February 2024.)
87/100
Detailed Rating Information...
90+: Fantastic whisky; highly recommended.
My favourite whiskies – I might have more than one bottle if the price is right and the supply is limited! The higher values in this range will reflect a stronger balance and consistency between components.
85-89: Great whisky; recommended.
Whiskies that tick the flavour boxes and you'll likely hear about these from me. An easy decision to order at a bar/restaurant and one to consider buying a bottle of.
80-84: Very good whisky; recommended, but still consider trying before you buy.
Most of these whiskies I was really happy to have the opportunity to taste, but, apart from a dram here and there, I don’t think I would buy a bottle.
75-79: Good whisky; consider trying before you buy.
These are whiskies that I did enjoy drinking, but likely would reach for another bottle or select something different to order.
65-74: Average; consider trying before you buy, but not recommended.
There is nothing that stood out about this whisky and I might be inclined to mix it with soda or in a cocktail, instead of trying to enjoy its own flavours.
50-64: Bad; not recommended.
I didn’t like this and would sooner pass on another opportunity and order a beer instead than have it again… but never say never.
