As I am quite new to the world of whisky and this is my first review I am grateful for any comments received.
I am reviewing the second batch of Bowmore's Laimrig, which is gaelic for pier, bottle # 10022/15000
It is of cask strength, 54.4% ABV, and have been matured 10 years on ex-bourbon casks with a 5 year finish in ex-oloroso casks. The whisky is Non-chill filtered with no colour added.
My previous experience of Bowmore is that it is better of neat then with water, as a result I have reviewed this whisky without the addition of water.
Nose: I am initially struck by rich notes of dark roast coffee, dark chocolate, leather and prunes. The peat present in the nose rather embraces the sherrynotes then overwhelms them. Together they form a truly pleasent aroma. After a while some dry briny and peppery notes appear.
Taste: This full-bodied whisky really coats the mouth leaving a battle between the peat and the mature sherry sweetness behind. The battle is however rather pleasant and gives way to a enjoyable, thick, nutty, coffee flavour. The taste becomes brinier towards the end
Finish: The finish delivers drupes, possibly blackberries, after which a velvet peat blanket coats the palate for a long time
If water is added I find that the whisky delivers a floral note with hints of vanilla and more intensive prunes. Sadly the flavour suffers, revealing more of the oak and becoming more peppery, overwhelming the complexity
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