Bowmore 1991 Port Matured

[jazznut]

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!