Bowmore 9 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Other reviews... The latest addition to Bowmore's core range is presented at the unconventional age of 9 years. Matured predominantly in oloroso sherry casks, with some bourbon cask-aged spirit thrown into the mix. The result is a whisky featuring drinking chocolate, black pepper, and soft peat on the nose. Sherry and sweet peat notes merge nicely on the palate, with dates, plums, and light caramel. Smoky brine in the medium-length finish. 85 points - whiskyadvocate.com

...Rather bizarrely, this bottle has been reimported from Spain. The colour is rather orange, even and not very bright, which always suggests that a lot of caramel has  been added. Colour: gold/orangey. Nose: well, this is typical Bowmore, very coastal and briny, we're nosing a large plate of smoked oysters sprinkled with a little teppanyaki sauce. Or is that teriyaki? I always confuse those names, the sweeter one… A little cranberry juice too, even raspberry jelly. Where does that come from. Still a very nice nose, though…Mouth: not that light at 40% vol., very salty, with just these notes of caramel that would get in the way. Indeed, that caramel that you're not supposed to feel in Scotch whiskies… But that would also impart notes of salted butter fudge and that, my friend, just always works. This baby would then become a tad more unlikely, with some slightly rubbery nuttiness, possibly from some 'cheaper' sherry casks. Still good. Finish: medium and even saltier. Black olives with crumbles of fudge and some kind of grassy liquorice. No 'lavender', naturally. Only the aftertaste is a tad flabby and strangely cardboardy. Comments: forgot to mention pasta de sardinhas, a very Portuguese delicacy. And very salty Bowmore. 84 points - whiskyfun.com