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Насыщенный островной односолодовый: красные ягоды из портвейновой бочки, лёгкий торфяной дым, дубовая пряность. Опытные ценят баланс бочки и характера, но многие отмечают водянистость тела и завышенную цену.
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В аромате доминируют красные ягоды — клубника, малина, смородина, черника — с оттенками тропических фруктов, а поверх ложатся земляно-минеральные ноты, влажное дерево, кожа, тёмный шоколад и деликатный, почти неуловимый дым; на вкусе профиль продолжается ягодным вареньем и вишней, к которым добавляются какао, дубовая пряность, морская соль и мягкая торфяная дымность, усиливающаяся к середине глотка. Послевкусие средней длины, сухое, землисто-минеральное, с горьковатым шоколадом и остаточной сладостью портвейна. Хвалят интеграцию портвейновой бочки, не забивающей характер винокурни, мягкую обволакивающую текстуру и возвращение узнаваемого дыма; критикуют тонкое, водянистое тело при 43%, слабую глубину, местами отдельно стоящие от дыма ягоды, затхловатый оттенок и завышенную цену.
Опытные ревьюеры в целом благосклоннее и подчёркивают зрелость и сбалансированность купажа бочки с солодом (оценки 82–88, чаще 85–87), тогда как остальные, ставя схожие баллы (в основном 83–86), заметно чаще жалуются на разбавленность, недостаток «последнего удара» и то, что портвейновый финиш ощущается излишним. Разброс оценок умеренный и согласованный — резких расхождений нет, спор идёт не о качестве, а о том, оправдывает ли водянистое тело и цена покупку полной бутылки против образца.
After a relatively long time (certainly four or five years), I finally reached for a full bottle of Bowmore. Why this one in particular? I really don't know; perhaps the Ruby Port finish appealed to me. And lo and behold, this is a real gem. The 43% ABV is by no means underpowered, as evidenced by the very diverse nose, the full-bodied palate, and the distinctly medium-length finish. The finish was obviously timed just right, as the fruity notes from the Ruby Port casks don't overwhelm the Bowmore character, but rather complement and carry it. And: I finally had some smoke in a Bowmore again. With two vouchers, the bottle came to just under €58 for me – a great deal for that. I find the current €90 price too expensive; up to €70 would be fair, and I'd pay it.
| Нос |
88 |
The first dram after a week without whisky, even a Bowmore seems smoky to me. At least when pouring it into the glass, but a short time later, it's (for me and Bowmore) as always: barely any smoke. Instead, there's a very inviting, not overpowering fruit note, consisting of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, with a hint of lychee and mango. A subtle spice clouds the fruit, as do some damp leaves and rain-soaked wood. Now the smoke returns, very subtle, but clearly perceptible, even for me. |
| Вкус |
87 |
A very nice, not at all weak, full-bodied opening, which seamlessly follows the berry notes on the nose: strawberry jam, raspberries, red currants, blueberries, cherries, but also a touch of tropical fruit with mandarin orange and mango. A delicious blend, the fruits from two worlds complement each other very well. Dry wood, fruity, bacony smoke (in a very subtle Bowmore style, of course). Kinder chocolate, Nesquik cocoa. |
| Финиш |
87 |
It lingers relatively long, which is very pleasing given its quality. Even drier on the palate than before, subtly smoky, earthy, and loamy, still fruity with the berry, mango, and tangerine mix. |
нос 83 · вкус 83 · финиш 81
Dark amber in color. Slightly oily in structure.
| Нос |
87 |
A hint of sulfur. Minerality. Salt. Mirabelle plum. Red fruits. Cranberries. Citrus. Redcurrant. Leather. Leather strap. Dried fruit. Raisins. Cherries. Dark chocolate with cherry filling. |
| Вкус |
86 |
Red fruits. Dried fruits. Plums. Raisins. Dark chocolate. Cocoa. Smoke. Peat. Earthiness. Sea salt. Cherries. Dark chocolate-covered cherry. Dark chocolate. A pinch of spice. |
| Финиш |
87 |
Cocoa. Dark chocolate. A touch of smoke. A hint of minerality. A hint of dried fruit. Dried plum in dark chocolate. Earthiness arrives after the second sip. A touch of leather and tobacco. Medium-long finish. |
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 85
нос 85 · вкус 84 · финиш 83
Drinking Date:25/11/2024
нос 88 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
I can't really get much out of the nose yet. But it's very interesting in the mouth. Round, soft, but also full. Pleasantly sweet on the finish. 81-85 – Wow, really good one
нос 79 · вкус 84 · финиш 84
| Нос |
83 |
|
| Вкус |
84 |
IT: 85 B: 84 |
| Финиш |
84 |
|
Surprisingly dry. Only after some time does a certain sweetness emerge in the glass. The palate is dominated by dark chocolate and oak aromas. The peat is also present, as is a touch of port, but all nicely integrated and not just slapped on. The Bowmore character is most evident in the finish, along with a hint of menthol. Otherwise, this is a rather cask-driven malt, without becoming unbalanced. It seems more mature and a bit more austere than the 14-year-old Bordeaux, but also not as easy-drinking, and there was indeed more Bowmore influence in the 14-year-old. Nevertheless, I really like this 16-year-old Ruby Port.
A very well made Bowmore, where you can also notice the influence of the port cask without it being too much. For the price, it's not a candidate for a large bottle. It was nice to try it, but that's enough for me.
| Нос |
87 |
earthy-mineral and delicately smoky; the red fruit notes in the direction of strawberries from the port cask come to the fore; some milk chocolate; old oak wood |
| Вкус |
86 |
soft, palate-flattering mouthfeel; sweetness and a noticeable smokiness; red fruit notes join in; earthy-mineral notes; then a spiciness is added and it changes in a more bitter direction |
| Финиш |
86 |
sweet and spicy; bitter and tart notes increasingly come to the fore; some dark chocolate; earthy and mineral; smoky; slightly salty; oak |
нос 88 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
quite tasty despite low Vol., chill filtration and artificial colourant
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
Oh, it's good! Oh, it's delicious! Oh, it's drinkable! Ruby Port always tries hard and does a fantastic job! It's very pleasant, tart and tasty, and drinks in large sips. 21 22 22 21
A solid and quite pleasant Bowmore. The port cask influence is definitely noticeable, however, this bottling lacks depth, and the red fruit aromas are not particularly well integrated with the smoke, but rather stand apart.
нос 83 · вкус 83 · финиш 81
Notes from a blind tasting
| Нос |
86 |
Vanilla, coconut pieces, roasted almonds, basically just like at the candy stall at the Christmas market, a little perfume |
| Вкус |
85 |
Marzipan, red apples, strawberry candies, chocolate, violets, subtle smoky aromas |
| Финиш |
87 |
A touch of wax, a hint of furniture polish, and a hint of leather. The light smoke, along with a pleasant woodiness, lingers on the tongue for a medium length of time. |
This is quite pleasant but I feel like what the port finish adds isn't entirely necessary. Still, even at 43% it has more taste than the last bottle of the OB 15yo I tried, which was too watery.
Equally weak as 14 if not weaker, usually like port casks, but in here... too light, too shy, too expensive for what it is... Needs time in the glass
| Нос |
84 |
Berry fruits with hint of salt, light fresh strawberry, light but nice oak, tea cookies |
| Вкус |
82 |
Light smoke, hints of salt, some minerals, some spiciness, light green apple |
| Финиш |
84 |
Slightly mineralic, drying, salty walnuts, Crème brûlée |
нос 82 · вкус 81 · финиш 81
нос 82 · вкус 82 · финиш 81
нос 84 · вкус 82 · финиш 82
Yeah, better than its other 'cask finish' colleagues (12-15-18), there's a bit more going on in the mouth. But what's also clearly noticeable is that it's not noticeable, in other words: it seems very thin and watery. [86 - 82 = good whisky -> get a bottle? Maybe...] Sample is enough, for a large bottle it shouldn't seem so thin (to me).
| Нос |
86 |
First of all, light fruits: apricots, peaches, floury apples. Then also red fruits, especially berries: raspberries, blackcurrants, but what stands out for me is strawberry jelly or stewed strawberries. Over time, the strawberry-raspberry combination becomes a little more pronounced. In the background there is a slightly smoky/extinguished wood fire, which has a very slight maritime touch, as if a single grain of salt were standing out. Spicy tannins also remain in the background, turning into something earthy and musty. A few floral notes, but that's about it. |
| Вкус |
86 |
soft, spicy, slightly creamy, but overall quite thin on the tongue. Fruity notes spread and the smoke is now clearly noticeable, even if it appears with a delay at first; but then takes over even more strongly. The spiciness of tannins sticks to the tongue. It's kind of interesting: it seems thin, almost watery, but something still sticks to the tongue. It becomes a bit earthier and more mineral towards the end. 2nd sip: much more fruit, but again very watery. Red fruits are now more prominent, more wood spice, dark chocolate; smoke again, but not as excessive as in the first sip. |
| Финиш |
84 |
medium length; the smoke actually lasts the longest; otherwise sweet and spicy on the tongue. At the end, more bitter notes take over: dark chocolate, cocoa powder. |
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 84
нос 84 · вкус 83 · финиш 83
This is a very unique wine. It combines the flavors of wine barrels and peaty. It's the first time I've encountered one like this.
| Нос |
86 |
At first, it has a very distinct wine aroma. It gradually fades. |
| Вкус |
87 |
The smell of peaty is obvious. |
| Финиш |
85 |
medium and long |
нос 84 · вкус 86 · финиш 85
нос 86 · вкус 86 · финиш 87
The orange gummy candy and pectin flavor are quite distinctive.
нос 86 · вкус 86 · финиш 83
нос 88 · вкус 82 · финиш 82
нос 86 · вкус 84 · финиш 84
Far too expensive for the price
| Нос |
85 |
smoldering coals, light peat, dried fruits, red berries, currants, oak, vanilla |
| Вкус |
85 |
soft, berries, peat, oak, spices |
| Финиш |
84 |
medium, berries, oak, spices |
Round and balanced. missing the last punch
Pleasant, fruity as usual, slightly earthy. Sweet, fragrant, almost perfumed. Strawberries, blackcurrant. Sweetness again in the aftertaste, completely without bitterness. Great whisky.
A delicious Bowmore...tried at the right time, at the right moment.
| Нос |
87 |
Bowmore with a lil astringency, you can feel the alcohol even at 43% But it tone down a lot after 15-20mins in glass |
| Вкус |
89 |
Very fruity, all berriers and subtle peat smoke at mid palate |
| Финиш |
89 |
Salivating, vinous sweetness, very yummy |
I'm glad to have a sample here. Actually, it's exactly what I'm looking for. But for me, it has a musty smell that will probably put me off buying a bottle.
| Нос |
85 |
It starts immediately with red fruit and a faint smoke. The red fruit is more like raspberry or later, stewed strawberry. I also get other dark notes that are slightly musty. |
| Вкус |
84 |
Seems a bit thin in the mouth, the red fruits are present, oak and spiciness take over relatively quickly. |
| Финиш |
84 |
Red fruit remains, but then quickly becomes bitter. For me, it overpowers quite a lot. |
нос 76 · вкус 84 · финиш 80
The nose is quite thin. Just the typical Bowmore smoke with a little red sweetness. The taste is of raspberries and strawberries. Very pleasant. A little more alcohol would do the malt good. The finish is relatively short. There is more sweetness than smoke in the mouth. I find it very pleasant.
The balance is definitely not at home here, the Port casks are disruptive, taking up more space than they should, with the distillate struggling to emerge and seeming to be in a constant battle to at least hold the rear. Those who dislike this kind of maturation will be vindicated, but for me the end result, despite its imperfections, is still enjoyable.
| Нос |
82 |
Macerated fruit and mould on the first approach make immediately clear the finishing, the acidic and very ripe fruit section screams Port, and you listen with your nostrils wide open: stewed raspberries, cranberries and strawberries, pushed minerality, raspberry yoghurt and damp earth. Beneath this rather important blanket, notes of vanilla, crème brûlée, milk chocolate and a puff of burnt brushwood smoke peek through. The fortified wine has taken over the whole nose. |
| Вкус |
83 |
On the first sip, the smoke is more pronounced, though still light, as are the spices (black pepper, aniseed, sweet paprika), which still surround the red fruit with a firmer texture, scattered over a cream tartlet. It soon becomes more bitter, with liquorice root, cinchona and rhubarb, with a distinctly mineral background, offset by the sweeter notes (custard, short pastry, red fruit jam) that try to hold the point. The body is not very full. |
| Финиш |
82 |
The finish is not very long and savoury, with red fruits, spices, mineral and earthy notes, cooked cream and glowing embers. |
A fine, elegant Bowmore, with noticeable port wine influence, without any real rough edges, but still with a distinctly powerful presence and anything but boring.
Insgesamt enttäuscht die Abfüllung. Viel Eichenholz mit Rauch, das Finish kommt nur andeutungsweise durch. Braucht man nicht in der Sammlung…
нос 84 · вкус 86 · финиш 84
A release from a new line for duty-free shops. The spirits were first aged in American ex-bourbon and European ex-sherry casks (apparently refills), and then in Ruby Port casks from the Douro Valley. Bottled at the standard 43% ABV. Nose: A pleasant, rich, candy-fruity, berry-like aroma with a slight industrial peatiness. Vanilla, caramel, candied cranberries, hints of brine, barnyard, earthiness, delicate industrial peat, ginger, white pepper, and damp wood. Palate: Slightly fiery, fruity, floral, and delicately peaty. Vanilla, creaminess, florality, berry acidity, grapefruit zest, sweet baking spices, and spicy oak. Finish: The aftertaste is warming, tart, spicy, with berry acidity, brine notes, spicy spices and astringent tannins. Balance: A pleasant, high-quality whisky with a port influence, but without the wow factor. A pleasant and promising nose, then everything is ordinary and unpretentious. Distinct brine notes hint that the port cask was likely made of American oak, and Ruby likely didn't spend much time in it. N22, P21, F21, B21
I haven't tasted Bowmore before because Islay for me is the road from Port Allen to Ardbeg. This is my first acquaintance with the Bowmore distillery. The aging in the ruby port barrel is felt immediately. A delicious combination of berries and notes of charcoal.
нос 83 · вкус 86 · финиш 87
The nose is quite pleasing. Sweet red fruit notes, marmalade and orange peel, beneath which lies the equally sweet, meaty smoke. Bowmore always reminds me of smoked bacon, sweet marinated grilled meat, and often a hint of leather and cigar. On the palate, it's a little journey. From sweetly marinated grilled meat and mineral smoke, through dark cherry jam and ground pepper, to tingling orange peel and sweet wine gums. The finish is long and pleasant. I really like Bowmore and am a big fan of port-matured whiskies. Accordingly, I find this whisky delicious. Typical of Bowmore, at 43% ABV, it's pleasantly smooth and refined. Objectively speaking, I find the new 15-year-old Sherry Oak Cask and 18-year-old Sherry Oak Cask expressions even slightly better.
Whisky is very good, smokiness, balance, alcohol is not felt, no excessive sweetness. But the price is high, for this level it could be cheaper.