Whisky Forum - Bowmore Line

GBrough · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:56 am Post subject: Bowmore Line

Every website I read whisky reviews of always say that Bowmore whiskies seem to fall flat when compared to other Islay Single Malts or even Ledaig 10. I have come to the conclusion that this is due to a lack of craft presentations.

This is an open discussion, and I mention Ledaig because it is the same price as Bowmore 12 which cost 55.99 USD, the Ardbeg cost around 5.00 USD more and Laphroaig 10 is 44.99 USD. I am posting this out of boredom at work, was Bowmore once a show stopper of a whisky is my real question.
_________________
The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

bifter · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:27 pm Post subject:

I have to admit that I've never cared for the Bowmores I've sampled, with the exception of the Enigma. Their prominence in retail markets, like many malts, can probably be attributed primarily to successful marketing. As Johannes vd Heuvel of Malt Madness says:

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

I haven't had many Bowmores but I've liked what I've tried - that is the 12, 15 Darkest, Enigma. Of the three my personal favourite is the Enigma, which I think is a great example of peat & sherry. Personally I don't see why Bowmore should be a 'marmite' dram, I rank it alongside Caol Ila in terms of Islay whiskies. I'd like to try their cask strength expressions, especially the Tempest.

drPete · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:42 pm Post subject:

Even at at well-presented tasting by a brand ambassador I couldn't raise much enthusiasm for the core range - just a bit bland/thin/dull IMHO. Much better Islays around
_________________
Talisker 18 - the rest are just details

GBrough · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 1:08 pm Post subject:

The Ledaig I had was more Islay than Isle. Very much up my alley and I mentioned Ledaig due to the prices being near each other. Bowmore is well marketed, but I do not consider it well made and it is the only single malt I do not recommend when friends and people at bevmo ask me what I recommend (I tend to know more about Islay than the staff). I tell people try bowmore 12 you will either love it or find it dull and flat if you have tried Ardbeg or Laphroaig your feeling may be the latter.

I have heard when Bowmore is going it can be hard to equal but when it trips and falls it falls hard.
_________________
The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

Bookie · Master Of Malts Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 945

I dont think much of the Bowmore 17 and 18 year old, i would describe them as dull and certainly not worth the price tag. The no age statement Small Batch Reserve is ok if found cheap the Legend is slightly more enjoyable.

What i do like is the Bowmore 12 and 15 Darkest is ok. From travel retail the Bowmore Enigma is very good, i prefer it over the 15 Darkest and the Bowmore 100 Degrees Proof is excellent. The limited release Bowmore Tempest series have all been very good to date and the limited release Bowmore The Devils Casks was excellent for the price/strength quality Bowmore got this one right and hopefully we will see more limited releases in this price range to entertain us.

TheWM · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:01 pm Post subject:

I don't mind bowmore, but there are better distilleries out there agreed. I do like the small batch reserve and the enigma. Didn't rate the surf much at all.

Quaich1 · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:04 pm Post subject:

Bowmore 25 years is a first rate dram in my opinion. I also very much enjoyed the Devil's Cask.
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

opelfruit · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 9:12 pm Post subject:

I'm with most on here, just all a little bit, ya know...so so.

Given the price there is always (and I mean always) something else on the shelf that I'd pick up instead. It's not a bad whisky, but it's just not very inspiring.

I imagine most of their core range is aimed at people who walk into a supermarket and want to trying something that is a step up from the normal blends, don't want to blow the bank, don't know what to buy and "they've heard of Bowmore".

Maybe a whisky for the uneducated? Core range speaking.

I do however, find some of the Tempest batches rather tastey, but not so much so that I'd double dip them. Had that, been there, moved on kinda thing.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

Crane · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:46 pm Post subject:

Some people love Bowmore and some hate it, it is kind of middle of the road as far as peating level for an Islay distillery. They did have a bit of a problem with the quality they turned out back in the 1980s/1990s but that seems to be well behind them these days and i would rate their 12 year old as a pretty decent whisky. Their limited releases have been pretty good, such as the Tempest series and the recent Devils Casks.

Like others i didnt think much of the Bowmore 17 or the 18 year old they replaced it with.

They have some good travel retail offerings such as the sherried Enigma, 100 Degrees Proof and Springtide although the Sprintide is expensive for a no age statement whisky. i would not recommend the Mariner or Surf.

If i was to single out 1 Bowmore as a must try i would say the Bowmore 100 Degrees Proof which i wouldnt have known about if it wasnt for Williams review on here and i have since picked up a few bottles from the airport and was pleased to see that TWE have gotten hold of some.

Samson · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:07 am Post subject:

I do like Bowmore, i would say give the Bowmore 12 a try or a cheaper alternative to try Bowmore is to give McClellands Islay malt a try which has young Bowmore in the bottle and should be around $35 compared to $55 for the Bowmore 12.

GBrough · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:18 am Post subject:

Big Mac · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 4:16 am Post subject:

I was lucky enough to have a couple of bottles of the Black Bowmore and it was outstanding.

Being partial to a sherried dram I have always enjoyed the Bowmore Enigma, I have a bottle of Bowmore The Devils Casks which my brother brought over at Christmas but havent opened it yet but plan on opening it soon.

Brent CA · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 3:03 am Post subject:

I have only had the Bowmore 12 but no complaints from me, a very good whisky for my money i thought. I have thought about the Bowmore 18 but it looks like from the posts above i would be best giving it a miss.

ddm · Member Joined: 11 Mar 2014 Posts: 6

I've not been overly impressed with the standard bottlings I've had, but I was very happy with Tempest Batch 3. It isn't a favorite... but for a young, cask strength Islay, it holds its ground.