Bowmore Small Batch review

Bowmore Small Batch is matured in first and second fill ex-bourbon casks. Coming from Islay, it is surprisingly light all the way. Yes, there is some of that signature peat smoke buried on the back. But we’re talking about wee hints of it. And even when talking about other things than peat, this Bowmore feels very flat.

Edinburgh Whisky Blog makes a good quote on this whisky:

“Always expect the unexpected.”

That’s spot on, when thinking about this expression from Bowmore distillery. Bowmore Small Batch is like a everyday romantic comedy or a bad Adam Sandler movie. It almost felt watery at some point.

This whisky has NO STRINGS ATTACHED to me

That’s why it literally felt like No Strings Attached, while tasting this dram. I might be bashing the Small Batch too much (80 points is really not that bad, though I gave 78 points first), but expectations are always high, when tasting a product from a famous Islay distillery. They have just set the standards so high.

Nose: Spices, peat, honey and vanilla, bourbon kind of nose, the peat stays more on the back. Hints of lime in the mix.

Taste: The taste stays very thin. Notes of grass and citrus, lightly salty with peat.

Finish: Spicy and bit dry. With hints of lime again. Wee peat smoke.

Balance: Probably the first Islay whisky, that is so light in every way? I’m not talking only about the lack of smoke or peat. Bunnahabhain has done it already and still their whiskies tend to have character. I think, that this Bowmore has not. Bigger alcohol per volume level would’ve made this more forceful.

Colour: Golden amber
Nose: 20  |  Taste: 20  |  Finish: 20  |  Balance: 20
Overall score: 80

Distillery: Bowmore
Region: Islay
ABV: 40%