Bowmore 10 Year Old Tempest

This is the latest Tempest - Batch 4. With a few drops of water from the start.

On the nose I detect honey the strongest. This is followed by a sharp lemony edge with peaty-smokiness underneath. I find these are the three trademark staple Bowmore flavours - in this case I'd say the honey dominates the most. I do also get a touch of vanilla and even slight spice as it opens up.

I'm again finding that honey dominates the palate and with a texture and mouthfeel almost to match. Citrus flavours, especially lemon are there but I occasionally find an orangey edge. The smokiness ebbs and flows - sometimes it leaps to the front and others it's way back in the background. It's a barbecued charcoal type of smokiness - like charcoal grilling citrus peel. Smooth vanilla sometimes makes itself known but subtley.

The medium finish is smooth and sweetish - smokiness is not as apparent here as on other Bowmores, (I'm thinking 15 Darkest).

It's a straight-down-the-line cask strength Bowmore. Non-chill filtered which is good. Doesn't mention anything about lack of caramel however, (so I don't know either way with this one). I love Bowmore but they are one of the worst culprits for adding caramel - if they could get out of that habit their whiskies could be as close to perfection as possible for me. Regardless, this is still a very enjoyable whisky.

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