The fiftieth bottling within the Whisky Sponge sequence will drop in the present day. It comes from Bowmore distillery and it’s assured 17 years outdated.
We put it head-to-head(-to-head) with two sister casks of the identical age, bottled final 12 months within the Single Malts of Scotland sequence. Whereas the WhiskySponge launch matured in a refill sherry butt (sourced from Signatory Classic), the opposite two are commonplace ex-bourbon barrels.
Bowmore ‘Assured 17 yo’ (53%, Whisky Sponge 2021, refill sherry butt, 679 btl.)
Nostril: a mild Islay character with leather-based, smooth smoke from smouldering newspapers and dried seaweed. Refined camphor and pipe tobacco. Within the background there are barely syrupy fruits, like apricots and peaches, in addition to some pink grapefruit. Additionally delicate notes of pine needles, menthol, hessian and hay. Nice to date.
Mouth: the same mixture. On the one hand there are fruity notes (hints of dried mango slices and pink grapefruit, peaches once more), however we discover menthol, natural teas and grassy notes. Lemon and brine too, in addition to wee hints of sandalwood, canvas and dried wildflowers.
End: lengthy, on smooth resins and ashes, briney fruits and natural tea.
The sherry butt works superbly alongside the Islay character. After all the natural facet and tobacco leaves much less room for the tropical notes that may be wonderful in these early 2000s expressions, however total it is a very complicated, extra wintery model. This might be launched in the present day by way of Decadent Drinks.
Bowmore 17 yo 2003 (54,9%, Single Malts of Scotland, barrel #93, 172 btl.)
Nostril: a lot cleaner. You get much less smoke right here, and the fruitiness is thinner. Candy grapefruits plus some unripe pineapple, in addition to banana ice cream. Behind that is an outdated range, some harbour aromas and a touch of cake. Mild newspaper ink as effectively.
Mouth: the fruits are extra distinguished now and there’s a pleasant fatty facet to it. Loads of apples, hints of lime and pink grapefruit, nonetheless a touch of mango and fervour fruit, mixing properly with loads of seawater notes, floral honey and drops of mercurochrome. Whiffs of smoke within the distance.
End: lengthy, fairly salty and peppery, with hints of aniseed and citrus peels.
Maybe just a bit greener than we anticipated and really coastal. Nonetheless very Bowmore although, with superbly vibrant and relatively tropical fruits. I’ve solely seen this on the market at Whisky Maniac. Rating: 89/100
Bowmore 17 yo 2003 (57,8%, Single Malts of Scotland, barrel #81, 209 btl.)
Nostril: comparable however much more centered and slender. The pineapple is much less noticeable so that you get extra yellow apple, lemon, grapefruit and a touch of rhubarb jam, in addition to delicate honey and vanilla. Extra apparent alcohol too. Sea breeze and distant smoke, mild biscuits and a few seashells.
Mouth: barely sweeter at first, with stewed apples and a wee trace of ardour fruit alongside grapefruits and floral honey. After that the saltiness grows stronger once more, bringing kippers and seafood with lemons. The bourbon wooden with its grassy facet and aniseed appears louder right here in comparison with the sister cask.
End: lengthy, nonetheless very brackish, with a delicate charred notice, ginger and herbs.
A really centered, saline fashion, with the brilliant fruits being pushed again, changing into relatively austere at some factors. It appears Bowmore 2003 is much less tropical than 2001 anyway, and this cask is additional behind its sister in that respect. Nonetheless accessible from Whiskybase and others. Rating: 88/100
