Cigar Weekly

jazznut · 12-13-2008, 11:29 AM

A 'fresh' arrival on the local liquor shelves, and one just too tempting to pass up given the limited availability. My initial tasting notes (following four healthy drams worth of the stuff)...

Bowmore Limited Edition Port Matured Natural Cask Strength 16 Year Old, Distilled 1991 – 53.1%

Preamble: Bottled without chill filtration from a selection of 24 Port casks. As is the case with the 1990 Sherry Matured release, malting and maturation have been carried out on site.

Colour: Deep burnt orange gold with a reddish cast.

Nose: Bramble fruit, predominantly raspberries. Wild cherry liqueur. Cardamon infused herbal tea. The underlying Islay characteristics percolate through in rather restrained fashion.

Palate: A veritable Niagara Falls prelude of field berry sweetness reluctantly recedes, eventually revealing earthy aspects. It’s as though one were gradually sampling the entire plant, from fruit to root. Then peat and Habanero heat, followed by sea salt. Red liquorice candy and milk chocolate notes gently sooth as the various elements settle and meld.

Assessment: A far cry from most Port wood finished varieties of single malt. Here, the wine cask hug seems all embracing, with ripe fruit and pepper front stage center throughout much of the performance. Those Bowmore traits have a real battle on their hands.

Summary: Such a shock to the senses that I'm almost tempted to ask, "Is this Scotch?" But it really doesn't matter. Delicious if idiosyncratic!

AnejoMofo · 12-13-2008, 08:07 PM

Thanks for another great review, Doug.

jazznut · 12-15-2008, 08:08 AM

Tremendous stuff, Mike...
Downed another 2 drams worth last night with a dessert of chocolate marble cake and vanilla ice cream.

Then, a pour of Lagavulin 12 Year Old Cask Strength followed by some Laphroaig Quarter Cask.
Sort of like an Islay-induced version of heaven.

rockace521 · 12-15-2008, 08:18 AM

Too bad we don't get that kind of unique bottling around here, sounds great.

Eurytos · 12-15-2008, 10:03 AM

Very nice, thanks for the write up!

12-13-2008, 11:29 AM	#1
jazznut Managing Editor Emeritus Herf God Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 25,991	Bowmore 1991 Port Matured A 'fresh' arrival on the local liquor shelves, and one just too tempting to pass up given the limited availability. My initial tasting notes (following four healthy drams worth of the stuff)... Bowmore Limited Edition Port Matured Natural Cask Strength 16 Year Old, Distilled 1991 – 53.1% Preamble: Bottled without chill filtration from a selection of 24 Port casks. As is the case with the 1990 Sherry Matured release, malting and maturation have been carried out on site. Colour: Deep burnt orange gold with a reddish cast. Nose: Bramble fruit, predominantly raspberries. Wild cherry liqueur. Cardamon infused herbal tea. The underlying Islay characteristics percolate through in rather restrained fashion. Palate: A veritable Niagara Falls prelude of field berry sweetness reluctantly recedes, eventually revealing earthy aspects. It’s as though one were gradually sampling the entire plant, from fruit to root. Then peat and Habanero heat, followed by sea salt. Red liquorice candy and milk chocolate notes gently sooth as the various elements settle and meld. Assessment: A far cry from most Port wood finished varieties of single malt. Here, the wine cask hug seems all embracing, with ripe fruit and pepper front stage center throughout much of the performance. Those Bowmore traits have a real battle on their hands. Summary: Such a shock to the senses that I'm almost tempted to ask, "Is this Scotch?" But it really doesn't matter. Delicious if idiosyncratic! __________________ My whisky adventure began at the age of nine. Good things DO take time! Last edited by jazznut; 12-13-2008 at 11:32 AM.

12-13-2008, 08:07 PM	#2
AnejoMofo Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Live Free or Die! Posts: 1,824	Thanks for another great review, Doug. __________________ Check out Blog of the Leaf! FFF *GO PATS!!* "Always have cigars; the rest you can fix." -Ernesto Padilla _______ RIP Cubano67

12-15-2008, 08:08 AM	#3
jazznut Managing Editor Emeritus Herf God Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 25,991	Tremendous stuff, Mike... Downed another 2 drams worth last night with a dessert of chocolate marble cake and vanilla ice cream. Then, a pour of Lagavulin 12 Year Old Cask Strength followed by some Laphroaig Quarter Cask. Sort of like an Islay-induced version of heaven. __________________ My whisky adventure began at the age of nine. Good things DO take time!

12-15-2008, 08:18 AM	#4
rockace521 Herf God Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 25,619	Too bad we don't get that kind of unique bottling around here, sounds great. __________________ When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty. - Thomas Jefferson

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12-15-2008, 10:03 AM	#5
Eurytos Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,697	Very nice, thanks for the write up!