Bowmore 17 Year Old 2001 Cadenhead

An independently bottled Bowmore from one of Scotland’s oldest bottlers? No need to ask me twice. No less than 17 years did this Bowmore spend on a bourbon cask before yielding still 270 bottles at a lovely strength. Let’s get to it!

There is a lot going on, on the nose. I get loads of citrus and vanilla on the one hand, on the other very maritime notes like stock fish, disinfectant and ashes. Becomes a tad floral and even candy-like after some breathing.

Surprisingly soft arrival and the first sip is very clean. Sweet versus salty, vanilla versus seaweeds, lots of lemons and then the peat explodes in your mouth and puts it aflame. The smokiness increases while ashes and iodine kick in. Once the malt has nestled on your taste buds, the alcohol cuts in. Razor sharp!

The finish is very good. Lang, zesty on lemon peel with white pepper and a good helping of salt.

I feel like I have smoked a cigar, while chewing on a sugared lemon peel. Weird, but so good.

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