Whisky Focus - Bowmore Tempest Batch 5

Bowmore launch the fifth release in its popular limited edition Tempest series.

Fans of the peaty Bowmore Islay single malt whisky will be pleased to hear that Batch 5 of the popular limited edition Bowmore Tempest 10 year old series is now on the shelves of specialist whisky shops.

Bowmore Tempest Batch 5 is just like the first four batches that came before it, aged for 10 years in first-fill bourbon casks, non chill-filtered and this one was bottled at 55.9% ABV.

Those of you familiar with the excellent Bowmore Tempest Series will know that each batch so far has carried the same hallmark style with subtle nuances of mandarin, tangy lime and cassis whilst at the same time each batch also had its own personality which set it apart from its predecessors such as varying intensity of peat levels with Batch 4 being particularly mild as far as peat level was concerned. Bowmore tells me that batch 5 presents a fuller, richer and sweeter 1st fill bourbon character than earlier batches.

Oddly though the producer's official tasting note (below) gives no mention of the peat level we should expect to find in the new Bowmore Tempest Batch 5, I am sure there must be some smoke in it as it is Bowmore, but how much of the distinct peaty Bowmore smoke will we find? The official descriptor doesn't reveal it.

Master Blender Rachel Barrie shines some light on the the missing smoke when she describes the Bowmore Tempest Batch 5, "It is Bowmore matured in the very highest quality of 1st fill ex bourbon casks, revealing harmonious and enveloping layers of honeycomb, rich bourbon vanilla and ripening fruits carried on an ocean breeze. Tempest V’s highly complex layers of silky smooth vanilla and luscious fruit-infused peatiness transport you to the elemental beauty of Islay."

I still cant say if the peat smoke is as intense as Batch 1 or as mild as Batch 4 all I can say is if it matches up to any of the first 4 batches it will be well worth trying.

Bowmore Tempest Batch 5 is now available from The Whisky Exchange while stocks last, priced £50.45
 

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