Bowmore 15 Year Old Laimrig batch 3

Laimrig is Gaelic for pier and thus refers to the ancient stone pier at the distillery. It is a cask strength 15 Year Old Bowmore, matured on Spanish sherry butts. This is their third batch, 18.000 bottles strong. The first batch was only available in Sweden and consisted of only 4.500 bottles. The second batch, which counted 15.000 bottles, was a big hit. Let us see how this third batch fares.

I have only just poured a dram and immediately the room is filled with the rich scent of roasted coffee beans, fresh figs, dades, coconut, walnuts and freshly waxed leather. The second wave of aromas contains some maritimes notes, like seaweeds and peat. They get louder all the time, turning the nose to brine. Some struck matches as well. This is beautiful.

On the palate, that starts off very powerful and feisty, the brine and peat push forward. The sweet sherry notes try to keep up, but to no avail. Cloves, tobacco and ginger. Turns slightly bitter as if from the stones of grapes. The whole is simply grand.

The long, warm finish starts off sweet on all kinds of dark fruit, before the peat and brine have the last say.

The combination of peat and sherry, which I always consider a challenge, work wonders in this Bowmore. Has no quarrel with water, either. Even a good splash. Fantastic dram. Around 70 EUR.

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