I’d say that I prefer peated whiskeys to unpeated. I count slightly peated like the Springbank 10 to this “category”. I absolutely love the sweet peated whiskeys. I haven’t tried this one yet, but am looking to buy a bottle one day. I buy a bottle a month so it will have to wait. What I love about peated whiskeys is that they are good for cooking. Using it in a marinade for grilling or as a spice for pooled pork in a combination with a good stout. Also I love a good sweet peated whiskey as a desert after a meal with lots of garlic. I just came from a dinner with my girlfriend. I had grilled calamari. I sip on a glass of Laphroaig select. At this moment it is my favorite peated whisky. It’s not the best or challenging. It has a decent amount of peat and is quite sweet, as it has some px in the maturation I belive. For 34 Euros it is a banger and a bottle that I will always have on my shelf. 🥂
I like peated whisky as well, but I don't know if I prefer it over non peated or not. I like them both equally and have noticed it's dependent on the weather. Colder days peated warmer days non peated. I love the idea of using peated scotch for cooking. I need to experiment
I'm a peat freak. For me it was part of the whisky journey. The peated whiskies are typically so intense and flavorful as compared to non-peated scotch. Going back to 'fruity' scotch became a let down, so to speak. That is, until I found the sherry bombs:)
I love both the Whiskys. The Bowmore 18 is the perfect combination because it is very balanced. Peated Whiskys tend to be more complex as the Phenols oxidate during the time and evolve into very distinct tastes.
Thanks for your review you just saved me abut 65 bucks! I love the peat! and 45%abv is usually my cut off point I don't much like anything lower. right now I'm torn between the Uigeadail and Corryvreckan are my favorites and my daily sippers include but are not limited to all the Ardbeg core range, Port Charlotte 10, Laphroaig 10, Laphroaig Lore and just picked up a bottle of Talisker 10 that is starting to grow on me.
Kilchoman Loch Gorm is one of my go to bottles right now. I have to be careful with this one or I will go through the bottle in no time. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
I spent about an hour with it after the review and I will say that it was consistently good the entire time. It was enjoyable, just not memorable. Cheers.
Great review mate. I enjoy Bowmore for the price point.This 12 is only £30 here in UK. I can get better for £30 or less here, Smokehead for one is currently around £28. Talisker 10 often sells for £26-£30 I have many favourite whiskies dependent on what mood I am in. I am get home from work and want Bourbon, Rye, Peated Scotch, Non-peated Scotch, Irish. If I am in the mood then with each sip I declare "this is my favourite dram" then the favourite can change the next time I am drinking :-) I lean towards peated Scotch mainly though. The peat/smoke I always tell people like this: Talisker: dried out driftwood burning on a grey pebbles beach fire with salty North Atlantic sea air blowing across it. Bowmore: Smoky wood bonfires Laphroaig: Smoke from a fire with a rubber tire burning on it Ardbeg: Clean medicinal smoke from a TCP storeroom that is on fire Lagavulin: a hundred year old musty wooden building, burnt down and damp from rainfall the morning after. Port Charlotte/Bruichladdich: Just nice clean smoke like burning books. I just bought American Westland Peated Single Malt. That is lovely and reminds me of the gentle smoke from a Caol Ila. Keep up the great reviews buddy
I’m definitely a peat lover ! I agree with you on Bowmore being a good introduction to Islay peated scotches. If you like it (like I did), you can move on to Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, etc. and crank up the intensity!
My wife just bought me a bottle of lagavulin 16. I am enjoying the bbq smoke flavor. I think I will alternate between that and the bottle of macallian Harmony collection.
Lagavulin is great! I have the 8, two of the Offerman editions, 12, and 16. Each one is fantastic IMO. The 12 Special Release 2022 is pricy, but I think is the best of the bunch. Cheers!
I like this 12 year old Bowmore. I enjoy the ppm level, the whiff of maritime breeze and the sweet fruity Bourbon cask matured flavor profile. Would I enjoy it more if it were presented at 43% like the 15 and 18? Of course. It seems somewhat outdated with its low ABV, E150 and chill filtration.
I'm with you on this. I wish it was a higher ABV. After the video I spent more time with it and the maritime element came out a little. Still a skip, but I'm happy I have the bottle.
I've been on my whisky adventure for about a year now. A friend said, "Oh, you'll have to try the Laphroig 10, you'll love it!" I bought a bottle of it and hated it. I couldn't get past the iodine. Now a year later I am looking for a lightly peated whisky.
The first time I tasted peated scotch I heated. It was about 7-9 months into my journey before I started to like it. Now I can't get enough of it. I guess it's an acquired taste.
Great video, Peter! Thank you. I’m curios…now that you have gone through 25+ bottles with Sip It or Skip It, do you see any common trends on why a bottle goes one way or another? Is it generally price for what you get (too pricey for what it is or on the flip side, a great value)? Cheers!
I think a few bottles have priced themselves into the skip it category because they are just too expensive and there are other bottles out there that are comparable at a lower price. I think only 2 or 3 bottles were just not good for my palate. Others have yearly releases that are redundant and not worth the investment to buy a similar bottle year after year. If you have one bottle of this type of whiskey on your shelf at a time you'll be satisfied. I'm leaning that way towards the ECBP, Larceny, and Booker's.
Trying it now. I like the peat, but I'm not a peat hound like some of the folks around. I agree, this is probably my least favorite of the Islays I've tried. I found the Ardbeg 10 to be suprisingly well mannered (I had tried the Uighadail earlier). I really liked the Kilchomen Mahir Bay, the Port Charlotte 10, and the Lagavulin 16. I found Laphroig 10 to be a little abrasive. May try the Lore or the Quarter Cask. The only Islay distillery I haven't sampled yet is Caol Ila. I can't find it anywhere.
I like peat IF I'm drinking Scotch. I lean toward Irish or bourbon usually, and like you, have been going towards the higher proof offerings. We might be in a similar place in our journeys! Keep up the great content!
I love peat in all forms, Islay, Highland, Island (technically still Highland), Connemara (the only Irish peated I like) as well as peat cask influences such as Cotswolds or bourbon aged in peat casks. Of the Islay's I don't particularly like Bowmore. I think Kilchoman are doing great things, their 100% Islay is outstanding. Ledaig, Cu Bocan and Benriach also have some lovely peated expressions. From what I have observed a lot of people get into peat at some point in their journey and then don't emerge for a long time!
Great review. Definitely a skip for me especially at that price. It seems I often see it around $58-$70 when the 12 is a $38 -$40 presentation at best. Abv and filtering definitely hold this back. It's really unfortunate because if they would fix their presentation they would be one of my favorite distilleries. Not everyone likes their profile but i really do when they let it show.. Their Cask Strength and Independent bottlings are some of my all time favorites. It's too bad they are more concerned with selling an idea of luxury by branding with Aston Martin rather than releasing a high quality product. I am looking to experience a well crafted whisky not stare at the pic of a car on a bottle.
Thanks Suenteus Po. The power of marketing is crazy. Just give me good whisk(e)y. No bells or whistles and I'll be happy. I don't think I have ever seen an independent bottle of Bowmore.
a bit weak for me this one, as i love laphroaig and port charlotte. though i did a whiskey flight tasting in scotland and had a go at Bowmore 26 which was beautiful! also i love the limited edition Bowmore 19, if you see that pick it straight up (cant expalin the taste but its lovely). cheers
My peatjourney started with a sampleset of Bowmore 12, Coal ila 12, Finlaggan original , Talisker port Ruighe, Laphroaig and Ardbeg 10. Stangely I liked the Ardbeg the most and the Talisker the least, Laphroaig, coal ila 12 and bowmore 12 i want to try again.
Oh man. Peat is a rabbit hole. There are so many directions and different profiles to choose from. For me they are all good, but I like the peat that comes across as smoked BBQ meat the most. If you ever get a chance to taste an Octomore I highly suggest you don't pass up the opportunity.
@@whiskeyisajourney That's why i am thinking to go for the port charlotte first, I hear good reviews everywhere, and it is within my price range. If i like the port charlotte I can start saving for an octomore
Definitely a skip for me as well….I think my scotch journey has been backward of how most people go about it. It was Ardbeg and Laphroaig that got me interested in scotch because it was new and different smell and taste sensations. From there I started checking out sherry/peat then just sherry and only recently have I started appreciating the light fruity side of scotch that I previously would have found underwhelming.
I was shocked how much I disliked peat when I first got into scotch. No I can't get enough of it. Peat and Pedro Ximenez is my jam right now. My brother and brother in law are the same as you. Crazy world of whisk(e)y. Everyone is on their own journey. Cheers.
I too leapt in at the Ardbeg and then went on an exploration in many different directions. My current favourite Islay is Bunnahabhain 12 which is a higher ABV but very minimal peat. The richness there is more interesting than the controlled smoke and citrus that Bowmore offers, although that is a nice drop to share with those not so keen!. I'm now looking for something rich and moderately peaty to square the circle.
For rich and moderately peated I’d suggest something like Kilkerran 8 Port Cask or Sherry Cask or maybe Springbank 15 all of which are pricey if you can find them but very worthwhile…..if you are alright with a bit more peat I’d suggest any of the Port Charlotte Experimental Cask Series or something like a Kilchoman Madeira cask. Enjoy the journey my friend!
Analysis is very personal, I'll leave here what my feelings were at Bowmore 12 years. *Oilyness: Medium body, I didn't find it too oily or dense, but it's not thin either, I thought it had a good oiliness! For me, it doesn't need more than that, the oiliness it presents is cool. *Visual: although I use dye, I found the color beautiful!!! *On the nose: almost imperceptible alcohol, the first note I felt was the vegetable/organic of the peat, for me it reminds me a lot of manure (it's enough to be funny, but for those who are familiar with these characteristics of some whiskeys, I don't think it's bad :D) , then came the very faint smokey/smoky smell, and that of wood (oak). I found the scent to be very smooth and balanced. I didn't find it so sweet!!! These days I went to taste it again and the smell of bourbon was very evident (from the ex bourbon barrels), but I am no longer able to find that aroma, I need to concentrate more in the next tastings. With water or ice it enhances the smell of oak (like most whiskeys), the peat vegetable disappears and the smoky/smoked appears a lot more, and it gets a little sweeter.. I didn't find it fruity, but slightly citric. *Palate: Pure, the first note for me was the vegetable/organic of the peat, then a burnt taste (oak roast), even giving the sensation of burnt wood in the mouth, then comes the light smoky/smoked and finally a bitter reminiscent of dark chocolate. With ice or water it is a little simpler, it enhances the oak (like most whiskeys), the peat vegetable disappears and the smoky/smoked appears much more, but it ends with an even stronger sensation of the Oak roast (taste burnt), and finally a slight bitterness. *Summary: Very easy and tasty whiskey to drink neat, it is also very pleasant with ice!!!! I didn't find it sweet, and for those who don't like the peat vegetable, add water or ice, because with it pure the flavor of this vegetable stands out!! It's a very simple whiskey, for me it's not worth the price! I don't know if I would buy again, unless it's a mega sale of stock burning!!!
Thank you for the analysis. Very well thought out. Very descriptive. I'm going to have to go back in for another sample and read this as I'm tasting. Cheers!
Análise é bem pessoal, vou deixar aqui quais foram as minhas sensações no Bowmore 12 anos. *Oleosidade: Médio corpo, não achei muito oleoso ou denso, mas também não é ralo, achei que tem uma boa oleosidade! Pra mim, não precisa mais que isso, está legal a oleosidade que ele apresenta. *Visual: embora use corante achei a cor bonita!!! *No olfato: álcool quase imperceptível, a primeira nota que eu senti foi do vegetal/orgânico da turfa, pra mim lembra muito estrume (chega ser engraçado, mas pra quem está familiarizado com essa características de alguns whisky, não acha ruim :D), depois veio o cheiro de defumado/esfumaçado bem fraco, e o de madeira (carvalho). Achei bem suave e equilibrado o cheiro. Não achei tão doce!!! Esses dias fui degusta-lo novamente e veio bem evidente o cheiro de bourbon (dos barris ex bourbon), porém não estou mais conseguindo encontrar esse aroma, preciso me concentrar mais nas próximas degustações. Com água ou gelo realça o cheiro do carvalho (como a maioria dos whisky), o vegetal da turfa desaparece e o esfumaçado/defumado aparece beeem mais, e fica um pouco mais doce.. Não achei frutado, porém levemente cítrico. *Paladar: Puro, a primeira nota pra mim foi o vegetal/ orgânico da turfa, depois um gosto de queimado (torra do carvalho), dando até a sensação de madeira queimada na boca, depois vem o leve esfumaçado / defumado e por último um amargo que lembra chocolate amargo. Com gelo ou água ele fica um pouco mais simples, realça o carvalho (como a maioria dos whisky), o vegetal da turfa desaparece e o esfumaçado/defumado aparece bem mais, porém finaliza com uma sensação mais forte ainda da torra do Carvalho (gosto de queimado), e por fim um leve amargo. *Resumo: Whisky muito fácil e gostoso de beber puro, é também bem agradável com gelo!!!! Não achei doce, e pra quem não gosta do vegetal da turfa, acrescente água ou gelo, pois com ele puro o sabor desse vegetal sobressai!! É um whisky bem simples, para mim não vale o preço! Não sei se compraria novamente, a não ser numa mega promoção de queima de estoque!!!
Thank you very much for that analysis. It was very specific and detailed. I appreciate the time it took to write out your thoughts and then add a translation. I'm going to pour another glass and reread this as I taste. Cheers!
I don't know what 12 is like! I just received a BOWMORE 15 as a gift. The worst whiskey I've ever had. Huge disappointment! I love isaly - peat/sherry is one of my favorite lines. I have never drunk such a "watery" whiskey. If I were a Scot I would be ashamed, if I lived in Islay I would blow up the factory. :-D I think only a supermarket chain could afford such a whiskey at a super bargain price! 15-20 euros maximum. Shame! Because everyone has their own taste and nose, but the horrible quality is not a qwestion. 15 is a terrible product.
Well, none of that sounds good and that's unfortunate. Good news is there are so many other brands to choose from you don't have to waist your time on a brand you don't like. Happy New Year and thanks for sharing. Cheers!
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Love Bowmore 12. Am a Peat fan, but not a peat head. love all things whiskey.... this one would be a sip for me... great vid.
Thanks John. Sip away! Cheers!
I’m a peat head and Ardbeg is my favourite distillery 🖤
I'm right there with you! Cheers!
I’d say that I prefer peated whiskeys to unpeated. I count slightly peated like the Springbank 10 to this “category”. I absolutely love the sweet peated whiskeys. I haven’t tried this one yet, but am looking to buy a bottle one day. I buy a bottle a month so it will have to wait.
What I love about peated whiskeys is that they are good for cooking. Using it in a marinade for grilling or as a spice for pooled pork in a combination with a good stout.
Also I love a good sweet peated whiskey as a desert after a meal with lots of garlic.
I just came from a dinner with my girlfriend. I had grilled calamari. I sip on a glass of Laphroaig select. At this moment it is my favorite peated whisky. It’s not the best or challenging. It has a decent amount of peat and is quite sweet, as it has some px in the maturation I belive. For 34 Euros it is a banger and a bottle that I will always have on my shelf.
🥂
I like peated whisky as well, but I don't know if I prefer it over non peated or not. I like them both equally and have noticed it's dependent on the weather. Colder days peated warmer days non peated. I love the idea of using peated scotch for cooking. I need to experiment
I'm a peat freak. For me it was part of the whisky journey. The peated whiskies are typically so intense and flavorful as compared to non-peated scotch. Going back to 'fruity' scotch became a let down, so to speak. That is, until I found the sherry bombs:)
I'm all about the Pedro Ximenex and Oloroso these days. The more peat the better. Cheers!
I love both the Whiskys. The Bowmore 18 is the perfect combination because it is very balanced. Peated Whiskys tend to be more complex as the Phenols oxidate during the time and evolve into very distinct tastes.
It has been a while since I have been back to this. I need to open it up and try it again and see how it has changed. Cheers!
Thanks for your review you just saved me abut 65 bucks! I love the peat! and 45%abv is usually my cut off point I don't much like anything lower. right now I'm torn between the Uigeadail and Corryvreckan are my favorites and my daily sippers include but are not limited to all the Ardbeg core range, Port Charlotte 10, Laphroaig 10, Laphroaig Lore and just picked up a bottle of Talisker 10 that is starting to grow on me.
Wow those are all very good sippers. I am sipping on my Lore bottle very slowly. I like that one a lot.
Recently started to love peat over the last few years, Kilchoman, Port Charlotte are a couple of my favorites
Kilchoman Loch Gorm is one of my go to bottles right now. I have to be careful with this one or I will go through the bottle in no time. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Flavour structure of Bowmore is quite odd to some people..i don't like Bowmore initial sip..but later on i started to enjoying it
I spent about an hour with it after the review and I will say that it was consistently good the entire time. It was enjoyable, just not memorable. Cheers.
Update:
Here’s my progression:
1. Jura 10
2. Springbank 10
3. Talisker 10
4. Caol Ila 12
5. Ardbeg 10
6. Lagavulin 16
7. Port Charlotte
8. Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Good list. I still have not had anything Jura. I will need to try it soon. Cheers!
Great review mate. I enjoy Bowmore for the price point.This 12 is only £30 here in UK. I can get better for £30 or less here, Smokehead for one is currently around £28. Talisker 10 often sells for £26-£30
I have many favourite whiskies dependent on what mood I am in.
I am get home from work and want Bourbon, Rye, Peated Scotch, Non-peated Scotch, Irish. If I am in the mood then with each sip I declare "this is my favourite dram" then the favourite can change the next time I am drinking :-)
I lean towards peated Scotch mainly though.
The peat/smoke I always tell people like this:
Talisker: dried out driftwood burning on a grey pebbles beach fire with salty North Atlantic sea air blowing across it.
Bowmore: Smoky wood bonfires
Laphroaig: Smoke from a fire with a rubber tire burning on it
Ardbeg: Clean medicinal smoke from a TCP storeroom that is on fire
Lagavulin: a hundred year old musty wooden building, burnt down and damp from rainfall the morning after.
Port Charlotte/Bruichladdich: Just nice clean smoke like burning books.
I just bought American Westland Peated Single Malt. That is lovely and reminds me of the gentle smoke from a Caol Ila.
Keep up the great reviews buddy
Fantastic descriptions. Who wouldn't want to drink those? I want to pull them all off my shelf and drink! Thanks for sharing my Cheers!
I have had one on shelf for over a year and still haven’t cracked it. Glad to know your thoughts
When you do crack it open. Let me know what you think of it if you remember.
I’m definitely a peat lover ! I agree with you on Bowmore being a good introduction to Islay peated scotches. If you like it (like I did), you can move on to Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, etc. and crank up the intensity!
It took me a while to appreciate the peat, but once I did I have not looked back.
Bought a bottle of bowmore 12. Watching all the reviews I can first before I try peated. Sipping Glen garrioch while I watch
Nice. Glen Garrioch is not familiar to me. I hope you are enjoying it! Cheers!
My wife just bought me a bottle of lagavulin 16. I am enjoying the bbq smoke flavor. I think I will alternate between that and the bottle of macallian Harmony collection.
Lagavulin is great! I have the 8, two of the Offerman editions, 12, and 16. Each one is fantastic IMO. The 12 Special Release 2022 is pricy, but I think is the best of the bunch. Cheers!
I like this 12 year old Bowmore. I enjoy the ppm level, the whiff of maritime breeze and the sweet fruity Bourbon cask matured flavor profile.
Would I enjoy it more if it were presented at 43% like the 15 and 18? Of course.
It seems somewhat outdated with its low ABV, E150 and chill filtration.
I'm with you on this. I wish it was a higher ABV. After the video I spent more time with it and the maritime element came out a little. Still a skip, but I'm happy I have the bottle.
Peat freak here. Love Laphroaig cask strength, quarter cask, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg..addicted to ash, brine
YES! I'm right there with you. Cheers!
I've been on my whisky adventure for about a year now. A friend said, "Oh, you'll have to try the Laphroig 10, you'll love it!" I bought a bottle of it and hated it. I couldn't get past the iodine. Now a year later I am looking for a lightly peated whisky.
The first time I tasted peated scotch I heated. It was about 7-9 months into my journey before I started to like it. Now I can't get enough of it. I guess it's an acquired taste.
Great video, Peter! Thank you. I’m curios…now that you have gone through 25+ bottles with Sip It or Skip It, do you see any common trends on why a bottle goes one way or another? Is it generally price for what you get (too pricey for what it is or on the flip side, a great value)? Cheers!
I think a few bottles have priced themselves into the skip it category because they are just too expensive and there are other bottles out there that are comparable at a lower price. I think only 2 or 3 bottles were just not good for my palate. Others have yearly releases that are redundant and not worth the investment to buy a similar bottle year after year. If you have one bottle of this type of whiskey on your shelf at a time you'll be satisfied. I'm leaning that way towards the ECBP, Larceny, and Booker's.
@@whiskeyisajourney thanks Peter! Makes sense.
Thai is a GREAT question @RHayes . When I read it I immediately had the same question!
Trying it now. I like the peat, but I'm not a peat hound like some of the folks around. I agree, this is probably my least favorite of the Islays I've tried. I found the Ardbeg 10 to be suprisingly well mannered (I had tried the Uighadail earlier). I really liked the Kilchomen Mahir Bay, the Port Charlotte 10, and the Lagavulin 16. I found Laphroig 10 to be a little abrasive. May try the Lore or the Quarter Cask. The only Islay distillery I haven't sampled yet is Caol Ila. I can't find it anywhere.
I like everything peated, but I tend to gravitate to the peat that gives off smoked meat notes.
@@whiskeyisajourney I imagine you've tried the Uighadial? If not, it's right up your alley. Tases like burnt ham (in a good way).
@@grahamokeefe9406 it's one of my top Ardbegs out there.
I like peat IF I'm drinking Scotch. I lean toward Irish or bourbon usually, and like you, have been going towards the higher proof offerings. We might be in a similar place in our journeys! Keep up the great content!
Thanks Glenn. I also notice I like peat in the colder months and lean to the sweet, Irish, and bourbon in the warmer months.
I love peat in all forms, Islay, Highland, Island (technically still Highland), Connemara (the only Irish peated I like) as well as peat cask influences such as Cotswolds or bourbon aged in peat casks. Of the Islay's I don't particularly like Bowmore. I think Kilchoman are doing great things, their 100% Islay is outstanding. Ledaig, Cu Bocan and Benriach also have some lovely peated expressions. From what I have observed a lot of people get into peat at some point in their journey and then don't emerge for a long time!
I agree. Kilchoman is doing great things and I fall into the category of getting into the peated journey and not emerging. Thanks Pete. Cheers!
Great review. Definitely a skip for me especially at that price. It seems I often see it around $58-$70 when the 12 is a $38 -$40 presentation at best. Abv and filtering definitely hold this back. It's really unfortunate because if they would fix their presentation they would be one of my favorite distilleries. Not everyone likes their profile but i really do when they let it show.. Their Cask Strength and Independent bottlings are some of my all time favorites. It's too bad they are more concerned with selling an idea of luxury by branding with Aston Martin rather than releasing a high quality product. I am looking to experience a well crafted whisky not stare at the pic of a car on a bottle.
Thanks Suenteus Po. The power of marketing is crazy. Just give me good whisk(e)y. No bells or whistles and I'll be happy. I don't think I have ever seen an independent bottle of Bowmore.
Based on the description, sounds like a skip for me as well. Thanks for the review!
It's good. Just not good enough to buy again. Cheers!
a bit weak for me this one, as i love laphroaig and port charlotte. though i did a whiskey flight tasting in scotland and had a go at Bowmore 26 which was beautiful! also i love the limited edition Bowmore 19, if you see that pick it straight up (cant expalin the taste but its lovely). cheers
I will keep an eye out for it. Thanks for the suggestion. Cheers!
My peatjourney started with a sampleset of Bowmore 12, Coal ila 12, Finlaggan original , Talisker port Ruighe, Laphroaig and Ardbeg 10. Stangely I liked the Ardbeg the most and the Talisker the least, Laphroaig, coal ila 12 and bowmore 12 i want to try again.
Oh man. Peat is a rabbit hole. There are so many directions and different profiles to choose from. For me they are all good, but I like the peat that comes across as smoked BBQ meat the most. If you ever get a chance to taste an Octomore I highly suggest you don't pass up the opportunity.
@@whiskeyisajourney I am looking for a shop that can send me a sample of an Octomore, it is rather expensive around here
@@011humphrey it's rather expensive worldwide.
@@whiskeyisajourney That's why i am thinking to go for the port charlotte first, I hear good reviews everywhere, and it is within my price range. If i like the port charlotte I can start saving for an octomore
Definitely a skip for me as well….I think my scotch journey has been backward of how most people go about it. It was Ardbeg and Laphroaig that got me interested in scotch because it was new and different smell and taste sensations. From there I started checking out sherry/peat then just sherry and only recently have I started appreciating the light fruity side of scotch that I previously would have found underwhelming.
I was shocked how much I disliked peat when I first got into scotch. No I can't get enough of it. Peat and Pedro Ximenez is my jam right now. My brother and brother in law are the same as you. Crazy world of whisk(e)y. Everyone is on their own journey. Cheers.
I too leapt in at the Ardbeg and then went on an exploration in many different directions. My current favourite Islay is Bunnahabhain 12 which is a higher ABV but very minimal peat. The richness there is more interesting than the controlled smoke and citrus that Bowmore offers, although that is a nice drop to share with those not so keen!. I'm now looking for something rich and moderately peaty to square the circle.
For rich and moderately peated I’d suggest something like Kilkerran 8 Port Cask or Sherry Cask or maybe Springbank 15 all of which are pricey if you can find them but very worthwhile…..if you are alright with a bit more peat I’d suggest any of the Port Charlotte Experimental Cask Series or something like a Kilchoman Madeira cask. Enjoy the journey my friend!
@@kevinnordby4808 Thanks for the tips.
I love this scotch
It's popular with a lot of people. Cheers!
It’s drinkable, but I won’t be replacing it.
Same here. Cheers!
Analysis is very personal, I'll leave here what my feelings were at Bowmore 12 years.
*Oilyness: Medium body, I didn't find it too oily or dense, but it's not thin either, I thought it had a good oiliness!
For me, it doesn't need more than that, the oiliness it presents is cool.
*Visual: although I use dye, I found the color beautiful!!!
*On the nose: almost imperceptible alcohol, the first note I felt was the vegetable/organic of the peat, for me it reminds me a lot of manure (it's enough to be funny, but for those who are familiar with these characteristics of some whiskeys, I don't think it's bad :D) , then came the very faint smokey/smoky smell, and that of wood (oak). I found the scent to be very smooth and balanced. I didn't find it so sweet!!! These days I went to taste it again and the smell of bourbon was very evident (from the ex bourbon barrels), but I am no longer able to find that aroma, I need to concentrate more in the next tastings.
With water or ice it enhances the smell of oak (like most whiskeys), the peat vegetable disappears and the smoky/smoked appears a lot more, and it gets a little sweeter..
I didn't find it fruity, but slightly citric.
*Palate: Pure, the first note for me was the vegetable/organic of the peat, then a burnt taste (oak roast), even giving the sensation of burnt wood in the mouth, then comes the light smoky/smoked and finally a bitter reminiscent of dark chocolate.
With ice or water it is a little simpler, it enhances the oak (like most whiskeys), the peat vegetable disappears and the smoky/smoked appears much more, but it ends with an even stronger sensation of the Oak roast (taste burnt), and finally a slight bitterness.
*Summary: Very easy and tasty whiskey to drink neat, it is also very pleasant with ice!!!! I didn't find it sweet, and for those who don't like the peat vegetable, add water or ice, because with it pure the flavor of this vegetable stands out!!
It's a very simple whiskey, for me it's not worth the price! I don't know if I would buy again, unless it's a mega sale of stock burning!!!
Thank you for the analysis. Very well thought out. Very descriptive. I'm going to have to go back in for another sample and read this as I'm tasting. Cheers!
Análise é bem pessoal, vou deixar aqui quais foram as minhas sensações no Bowmore 12 anos.
*Oleosidade: Médio corpo, não achei muito oleoso ou denso, mas também não é ralo, achei que tem uma boa oleosidade!
Pra mim, não precisa mais que isso, está legal a oleosidade que ele apresenta.
*Visual: embora use corante achei a cor bonita!!!
*No olfato: álcool quase imperceptível, a primeira nota que eu senti foi do vegetal/orgânico da turfa, pra mim lembra muito estrume (chega ser engraçado, mas pra quem está familiarizado com essa características de alguns whisky, não acha ruim :D), depois veio o cheiro de defumado/esfumaçado bem fraco, e o de madeira (carvalho). Achei bem suave e equilibrado o cheiro. Não achei tão doce!!! Esses dias fui degusta-lo novamente e veio bem evidente o cheiro de bourbon (dos barris ex bourbon), porém não estou mais conseguindo encontrar esse aroma, preciso me concentrar mais nas próximas degustações.
Com água ou gelo realça o cheiro do carvalho (como a maioria dos whisky), o vegetal da turfa desaparece e o esfumaçado/defumado aparece beeem mais, e fica um pouco mais doce..
Não achei frutado, porém levemente cítrico.
*Paladar: Puro, a primeira nota pra mim foi o vegetal/ orgânico da turfa, depois um gosto de queimado (torra do carvalho), dando até a sensação de madeira queimada na boca, depois vem o leve esfumaçado / defumado e por último um amargo que lembra chocolate amargo.
Com gelo ou água ele fica um pouco mais simples, realça o carvalho (como a maioria dos whisky), o vegetal da turfa desaparece e o esfumaçado/defumado aparece bem mais, porém finaliza com uma sensação mais forte ainda da torra do Carvalho (gosto de queimado), e por fim um leve amargo.
*Resumo: Whisky muito fácil e gostoso de beber puro, é também bem agradável com gelo!!!! Não achei doce, e pra quem não gosta do vegetal da turfa, acrescente água ou gelo, pois com ele puro o sabor desse vegetal sobressai!!
É um whisky bem simples, para mim não vale o preço! Não sei se compraria novamente, a não ser numa mega promoção de queima de estoque!!!
Thank you very much for that analysis. It was very specific and detailed. I appreciate the time it took to write out your thoughts and then add a translation. I'm going to pour another glass and reread this as I taste. Cheers!
@@whiskeyisajourney 👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻
Sip it
Cheers!
its enjoyable but im an ardbeg guy so its honestly like drinking water.
Ardbeg all the way.
wow...63 bucks? I am only paying 30 USD in Japan. I will never pay 63 dollars for a Bowmore 12!!!!
$30 is good. Well worth it at that price.
I don't know what 12 is like! I just received a BOWMORE 15 as a gift. The worst whiskey I've ever had. Huge disappointment! I love isaly - peat/sherry is one of my favorite lines. I have never drunk such a "watery" whiskey. If I were a Scot I would be ashamed, if I lived in Islay I would blow up the factory. :-D I think only a supermarket chain could afford such a whiskey at a super bargain price! 15-20 euros maximum. Shame! Because everyone has their own taste and nose, but the horrible quality is not a qwestion. 15 is a terrible product.
Well, none of that sounds good and that's unfortunate. Good news is there are so many other brands to choose from you don't have to waist your time on a brand you don't like. Happy New Year and thanks for sharing. Cheers!
@@whiskeyisajourney It was a gift - so it was just a drink that I didn't like.