Bowmore 15 yo 1996 / 2012 Douglas Laing #8034 52.2% vs Bowmore 16 yo 2001 / 2017 Cadenhead 175th Anniversary 54.8%

Bowmore 15 yo 1996 / 2012 Douglas Laing #8034 52.2%

It’s what we want in a modern Bowmore. Sharp coastal notes like salt zing, sea air, open BBQ pits, and also sweet peated, with an enormous dose of menthol and hot ash. Lots and lots of crushed chalk, burning minerals and mustard leaf. Most of this is happening on the palate though, nose is a little closed. 88 pts

Bowmore 16 yo 2001 / 2017 Cadenhead 175th Anniversary 54.8%

Haven’t strayed far but this is more direct. Coastal notes of salt and bracing air again, sweet peat, hot earth and fresh ash. Lime leaf, crushed chalk, very Bowmore! Sharp, salty, sappy, mineral and greatly mentholated on the tongue again. Also something that is very subtly floral, fortunately it doesn’t get in the way. Very convincing Bowmore, fairly simple but strikes home. 89 pts