Bowmore 100 Degrees Proof

The Bowmore 100 Degrees was launched for the duty free range, bottled at 57,1% ABV. The strength would have to do with the testing of the alcohol percentage by sailors with gunpowder, back in the old days. I have not got a clue. You should not believe everything you read on the internet… Let us just get a good taste of this!

The nose balances beautifully between sweet and salt. Toasted oak, leather, stockfish, sweet malt, vanilla, ginger. The sweetness translates into a hint of chocolate, toffee and sugared lemon peel.

On the palate, it is quite punchy on citrus fruit and loads of salty oyster sap. Again toasted oak, making it somewhat sweeter, along with the vanilla, ginger and nutmeg. The citrus evolves towards Seville oranges. Nice, big smokiness.

The finish is not only cozy and long, but also spicy. Mostly ginger, now.

I quite like this, even though it is somewhat atypical.

At 100 degrees proof (UK) you are supposed to be able to wet gunpowder with it and still light it, as a test for undiluted spirit. In my opinion, some of this gunpowder was left with the whisky. I like the nose, with more smoke than the usual Bowmore and some other things going on, but on the pallate I sensed a burned rubber undertone, that took away all the promise in the packaging. This is potent stuff, and while I could drink it, and the burned rubber faded somewhat after the bottle was open for a while, it never really gained my enthusiasm, and I was happy the last of it was gone. I am not sure why I have detected this bad note - many of my friends who tried it didn't, but all said it was strong stuff, and not for beginners... Because I couldn't find anyone to share this impression (which I never had with any other whisky, some tasted the same night) I will not tell you not to buy it - just be aware that it is potent and powerful, and not your standard relaxation dram...

Originally produced for the Travel Retail market (duty free shops) this is a cask strength NCF Bowmore NAS, and comes in a 1 Litre bottle. I’m not a Huge Bowmore fan but I do think they are really trying to make better whiskies in recent 1-2 years, and we definitely can see a change there, which is great news for Islay fans and Bowmore fans in particular. for those wondering about 100 proof being 57% ABV and not 50%, it’s a thing that often confuse people, but UK proof and US proof differ, and 100 proof UK wise means 57%, while in the US 100 Proof is 50%. Now back to reality from whisky geekery world. This sample was sent to me by a good whisky friend (Phil) who was kind enough to send this in addition to a few samples he collected for me in London from Milroy’s. (more about that in the coming weeks).

Bowmore 100 Degrees Proof , 57.10%,£79 Nose: Starting with big briny notes, Very maritime then the expected peat reek, with some tarry ropes. Kerosene With sweet undertones. Golden syrup. Malt. Honey. Yumm. Very nice and i like how the peaty and briny notes work well with the honey and cereal. The nose is fairly gentle considering the 100 proof. Palate: Bigger. Peat smoke with sweet bacon, Vanilla ,honey and big malt. Peppery spicy and Peaty too. A delight. Finish : smoke. Sweet malt. Peat. Honey.

A really good whisky, i was very surprised. The peat reek and smoke with all that seaside really works well above the sweeter layer of golden syrup malt and honey. NAS but doesn’t feel very young, not plasticy and rubbery at all. Way to go Bowmore. You can get that one for cheaper if you pass through the duty free, and if you don’t Master of Malt has some too, i suppose other online merchants will also stock this.