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KWM 2020 Whisky Calendar Day 19: Bowmore 12 Year Old

Posted on November 7, 2021

by Evan

Another classic distillery label is on the docket for today's entry in our 2020 KWM Whisky Calendar. We are heading back to Islay because Door Number Nineteen gives unto us the Bowmore 12-Year-Old!

Bowmore Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and is the oldest on Islay that still exists, having been founded in 1779. It currently vies with Lagavulin to be the 2nd best-selling Islay Single Malt brand. As I mentioned on Day 10, Laphroaig sells the most and has for quite a while.



The Distillery itself lies within the town which shares its name and is right against the shoreline of Loch Indaal. Even though the distillery is on the coast, it can still be considered closest to the centre of Islay. The town of Bowmore only predates the distillery by less than two decades, and it was the first planned settlement in Scotland.

The town's gridlike layout and construction were initiated in 1768 by Daniel Campbell the Younger, who was the owner of the Islay and part of Jura. He resided in the famous Islay House and planned the town of Bowmore to resettle residents from the village of Kilarrow.  Kilarrow was situated close to Islay House, near what is now called Bridgend. It is said that Daniel the Younger felt that Kilarrow spoiled the view between Islay House and Loch Indaal. All that remains of the old village is a cemetery on Islay House property.

On the upside, Daniel the Younger did also build the now-famous Kilarrow Parish that is atop the hill in Bowmore. The church is famous for being entirely round so that it gives to corner for the devil to hide in. Bowmore and the Kilarrow Parish lay a little over 4km south of Bridgend and where the previous village existed. Currently, the town of Bowmore is populated by around 800 residents.



As for the distillery, Bowmore's nearest neighbour is Bruichladdich, which is a 15-minute drive West to along the coastal road A847 to the other side of Loch Indaal. Caol Ila Distillery is about a 20-minute drive to the East along the A846. If you head South from Bowmore the Port Ellen Maltings (and soon the rebuilt Port Ellen Distillery is about a 20-minute drive as well, and from there you can get to Laphroaig Distillery, Lagavulin and Ardbeg which all lie within 10 minutes drive from there.

Like Laphroaig, the Bowmore distillery is owned by parent company Beam Suntory. Also like Laphroaig, Bowmore is one of three distilleries on Islay to have its own on-site floor maltings and peat kilns, which are able to produce just about one-third of Bowmore's needs for mashing and distillation.


Insert Peat Here: One of the Kilns At Bowmore Distillery

The 12 Year Old has been one of the core expressions in the Bowmore range for quite a while. Included in the core range are the no age statement Bowmore No.1, the 12 Year, 15 Year, 18 Year, and 25 Year Old. Various limited expressions have been available over the past few years, including the ongoing Vaults series, the Winemaker's Trilogy. Currently, there are sparse independent bottlings available of Bowmore, and they tend to be expensive when they are released. Enough of that for now, though. Let's try out this 12!



Bowmore 12-Year-Old - 40%

Evan's Tasting Note

Nose: Softly burning embers, gentle smoke, orange marmalade, honey, Tiger Balm, citrus oils, leather, cigar humidor, and lavender bath soap.

Palate: Creamy, oily and ashy with oranges, cloves, roasted walnuts, Thrills chewing gum, double bergamot Earl Grey tea,  and white chocolate cake with lavender frosting.

Finish: Soft and earthy with a floral smoke and a touch of citrus.

Comment: Every time I see a Single Malt Scotch (or any whisky for that matter) bottled at the minimum 40% ABV, my knee-jerk reaction is to grouse about it. That being said, this Bowmore 12 is rich enough to drink at this strength, and more than enjoyable enough to keep drinking it.

If I had to choose between this and the Laphroaig 10 Year Old I would go with the Laphroaig, but I do like this Bowmore 12. For me, it is this 12 Year Old and the Bowmore 18 Year Old that are the highlights in the core range. What will we be seeing, nosing and tasting tomorrow with Door Number Twenty to open? See you then to find out!

Cheers,
Evan
evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Twitter and Instagram: @sagelikefool

This entry was posted in Store, Whisky, Tastings, KWM Whisky Calendar 2020, Whisky Calendars

 

 

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