samedi 23 novembre 2013

Whisky review : Bowmore 10 years old ''Tempest'' Batch IV, bottled @ 55.1%

Whisky review : Bowmore 10 years old  ''Tempest'' Batch IV, bottled @ 55.1%

-Possibly one of the greatest Bowmore out there.
-Non chill-filtered
-Natural Colour
-Cask Strength...what more ?

Colour: Dark gold, very bright, oily.

Nose: Coastal air, sea salt, moss, dry wood, light distant smoke, drift wood on the side of the sea. Water makes it a bit dryer, light peat, candied fruits, light white ashes and salty notes. A great complex nose, so different from from the Bowmore 12, 15 or even 18. Actually, it's refreshing to see such beauty in a Bowmore compare to the usual sadness and predictability of its older bottling.

Mouth: Salted caramel, very heavy and mouth watering, salted drying seaweed, vegetal notes, light chili spices, and yellow fruits. Water tones it down to lighter, yet still present sea salts, more balanced with a gentle post-storm coastal feeling. In lack of a better image, I would describe it as a ''light wood fire smoke next to a lighthouse surrounded by small waves at night''.

Finish: Focuses on salt caramel notes, dry sweetness and some bitter notes resembling those of a grapefruit inside the cheeks.

A for the price. For 74,5$ (SAQ), it is, when compare to England, below market retail price and sometimes even 25$ less than in USA. Unfortunately, it's out of stock and not available in LCBO.
A for the taste. Very complex and a fantastic Bowmore. I would re-buy anytime. The only problem is, this Bowmore is not representative of the line of Bowmores. Yet, I would suggest to avoid the regular ones and find the Tempest.
A for presentation. Very nice light mariner blue, very elegant.

Whisky review : Bruichladdich ''Rocks'', bottled @ 46%

Whisky review : Bruichladdich ''Rocks'', bottled @ 46%

-Suppose to be ''Grenache'' finish
-Non chill-filtered
-bottled at higher strength

Colour: dark copper, orange. Light and juicy.

Nose: Intense creamy caramel, toasted caramel on toast, hints of eucalyptus, touches of spicy fruity notes. Comparable to a Bunnahabhain 12 in terms of nose. Very nice indeed.

Mouth: spicy caramel, caramel with salt and chili, some ether notes too. To its defence, it's a NAS, so it's entitled to be a tad rough. Not as creamy as the Bunn 12, yet very pleasant.

Finish: Long lingering caramel notes, light finish yet very nice for a NAS.

A+ for the price. For 49$ (SAQ) it's simply a great purchase. 
B+ for the taste. Very nice and amazing price/quality ratio. Good spicy-salty caramel.
A for presentation. Looks great, however I would advise this grain to glass company to stay away from over-marketing....a simple carton would have been sufficient and cheaper.