Overview: Bowmore is an Islay distillery (I really do need to get to explaining the whisky regions in Scotland!), which is known for its smokey, peaty whiskys. It is the oldest distillery on the island of Islay, founded back in 1779. I am in general a huge fan of Islay single malts, as the amount of peat and smoke make for very unique flavor.
Tasting: This is everything you expect from an Islay single malt. The nose starts with strong earthy, smokey flavor. The taste delivers on the smells, filling your mouth with the taste of peat, malt, and the ocean. I can almost imagine being on the shores of Islay, the peat fires burning behind me, and the sun setting on a perfect day by the sea. The flavor is not for the faint of heart, but is smooth without any strong burn.
How To Drink: Sipping - Like many single malts, the flavors would be overpowered in many mixed drinks and missed in a shot.
Price: $
Chance of buying again: **** (Absolutely!)
Overall: A great 12 year smokey whisky and a textbook example of what an Islay single malt should taste like.
Whiskey - Redbreast 12yr Irish Whiskey
Overview: Redbreast is a small line of Irish Whiskey distilled at the New Midleton Distillery. It is one of the few single pot still distilled whiskeys left, and is made from a mixture of malted barley and unmalted "green" barley.
Tasting: This whiskey surprised me. It came highly recommended, winning the Irish Whiskey of the Year in 2010. While I greatly enjoyed the taste, which is reminiscent of pipe smoke and dried fruits, although I found the aroma to be a bit too strong. The aroma came across with a slight alcohol burn, although the hints of leather and honey are there underneath. The flavor reminded me of sitting in a favorite chair in a sitting room, enjoying a nice evening with a pipe and a book. I just wish the aroma delivered as nicely.
How To Drink: Sipping, Shots - Although clearly a sipping whiskey, I think as a shot you could get past the aroma easier and enjoy the nice flavor.
Price: $
Chance of buying again: ** (Unlikely, even on sale.)
Overall Rating: A very distinctive Irish Whiskey (which normally has a milder taste), with great flavor once your get past the aroma
VERDICT: The battle of the 12 years this time, and the winner goes to Whisky. The smokey, peaty, Bowmore 12 has a very interesting and distinct flavor while the Redbreast comes off with a little too rough of a nose. For around $50, both are very different takes at whiskeys and I recommend you go try one!
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