Bowmore 2001/2012 Maltbarn

Description: matured in a ex-sherry butt for 11 solid years and bottled by the German Independent bottler Maltbarn.

Nose: a straightforward deep earthy nose: we're in the garage once more with a trail of motor oil, thick black exhaust smoke and leather seats, subdued lies a layer of peat with a pinch seaweed humus. The whole is richly soaked in mature sherry. (with water added: lemony flavours make their timorous introduction adding a lot more zing to the package)

Mouth: a thick oily body with a coarse palate. bitter orange oil, figs and a sniff of ginger, (with water added: one crack of the whip and the palate is now polished like a river coble: soft creamy orange notes, some soft vanilla, only the ginger perseveres)

Finish: persistent and drying to the point where it becomes hard to breath. notes of cigar ash and seawater. (with water added: some soapy notes in the tail).

Verdict: these notes may read like a true winner in my books. But like the snob I am, I'll have to make reservations. We have a powerful cask strength (probably) whisky that bulldozers over your taste buds. Dilute it and you'll break its spine. There is probably a thin line where the harsh elements meet the softer undertones. But I was simply unable to get it there. Great nose though!

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