Bowmore The Devil's Casks II 10-Year
56.3% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: Rich raisins, plum, and dried fruits. Slightly saline. Charred orchard fruits, spices, and a lighty creosote and barbecue note. Citrus.
Taste: Dried plums, cherry, raisins, more plums, nectarines, spices… wow. There is a woody peat smoke swirling in the background.
Finish: Leaving mouth-coating soapy, dried fruits, and a mellow smoke. Mild candied ginger. Lengthy.
This is my all-time favourite Bowmore whisky! I remember first having this at Radiator Whiskey in Seattle at Pike Place Market. At this point in my whisky journey, I had already tried a couple Bowmore whiskies—the 12-Year and 15-Year Darkest—and perhaps a few others. Though I had no idea what was in store for me with The Devil’s Casks. This is one of the juiciest Bowmores that I’ve had.
It isn’t the finest or most complex Bowmore out there, but I find that the components work so well together and enhance the overall experience: the youth of 10-Years, the maturation in First Fill ex-Sherry, bottled at cask strength, and I find more peat smoke in this than the average expression.
So, there I was at Radiator Whiskey. I ordered The Devil’s Casks Small Batch Release II. It was just around $15 USD for a 1.5oz pour—good value, especially in Washington state where you can find some of the highest whisky prices, in part because of the high liquor taxes. After I finished that dram, I went on my merry way but it didn’t leave my mind—I must have had dreams about it. I went back the next day and ordered one more… and then one more! It was the first time I recall doing that with any whisky.
Fast-forward another couple years and I finally had the opportunity to purchase a bottle! To me it was that "unicorn whisky". I didn’t think I’d ever have the chance to twist off the cork after pulling it down from my own shelf. I’ve had the first Small Batch Release and I think that I prefer this one, although that could be the vivid experience speaking—not like I have had them side-by-side… but, maybe one day! That said, I’m really curious how the third release tastes, which had no age statement.
It’s an excellent Bowmore.
Note: This Bowmore The Devil’s Casks II 10-Year was tasted with the 15-Year and the 1992 Single Cask Release 26-Year. Check out the other reviews to see how they compared!
Details: 2014 Release. First Fill Sherry Casks. Non chill-filtered.
Tasting Notes (Official): On the eye deep mahogany. Breathe in rish sherried sweetness with dates and sultanas smother in the indulgence of treacle toffee, peace and maple syrup. Sip the sublime velvet taste of dark chocolate fudge infused with sherried dark fruit, sea salt and walnut oil. Savour the long lasting finish with sun-dried raisins and salted treacle.
Tasted 11 April 2022. (Posted 07 January 2023.)
