Last time we tasted a couple of younger whiskies from the AD Rattray line up – this time we visit an older Bowmore.
AD Rattray Bowmore 20 $120
Cask: Bourbon (#271)
Distilled: February 26, 1990
Bottled: October 27, 2010
No. of Bottles: 235
ABV: 54%
Color: Light gold
Nose: Wafts of peat and seaside brine, a cakey sweetness underneath the peat, none of the red fruit complexity that I tend to get from Bowmore. This initially seems like straight forward peat but with time it filled out with coastal breeze, spice and sweet notes.
With water: Sweeter with the water, airs out – becomes lighter, more of the bourbon influence becomes present, some citrus.
Palate: Very oily, big peat forward and fading smoke, a bitter tinge in the middle, oak spice, surprisingly light for a 20 year old. A lot more subtle than expected.
With water: Becomes more ashy, softens the spices, dusty, drying, earthy, juice-like sweetness.
Finish: Medium with a full flavor profile of peat, ash, spice and sweetness.
A delicate but full flavored older Bowmore, a different dimension from this distillery, almost Caol Ila like with the sweetness and ash, I really enjoyed this one. Great balance of flavors.
Do you think it’s worth the steep price?
Is it similar to the DB Bowmores?
If it is worth it is completely subjective – I am happy with the purchase but will not be buying again. It is a completely different animal from the standard distillery bottlings.