Whisky Bowmore 12 Years Old: A Smooth Tasting Experience of Peaty Single Malt Scotch That Won’t Bite

The 12-year-old Bowmore whisky is an old classic, a very fruity peaty Scotch, with an exotic exuberance, lots of pulp and a peaty that we could define as gentle, but firm.

First of all, the 12-year-old Bowmore whisky is not a rude, irreverent or pungent distillate, on the contrary, it is very calibrated, studied and built for pleasure, without a shadow of a doubt it is born with a wink to those who love peat, but not too extreme in Ardbeg style. No, he remains more secluded, first letting a good fruity vivacity emerge, then honey, caramel, herbs, with the peat soot that acts as a common thread, without ever becoming the protagonist.

The 12-year-old Bowmore was obviously born in Islay, in one of the most renowned distilleries on the island, the oldest and while not contradicting itself, it does not have much to offer. It does double aging first and in barrels used for Bourbon and then in barrels used for Sherry, a very common path for Islay distilleries.

As a whisky, it is discreet, clean without frills and quite harmonious, but it does not leave its mark, it is not punchy or memorable. It’s Islay whisky and that’s a good thing regardless, but it doesn’t add much to the Scotch Single Malt landscape.

What is really worth it is the jumble of absurd and copycat comments that you will find on the web about this 12-year-old Bowmore. All pseudo phony and pathetic comments from people who have swiped the information on the Bowmore site, without ever having opened this bottle. 

Bowmore 12-Year-Old Scotch bouquet

This whisky has a memory of citrus fruits, but its peculiarity is the charge of exotic fruit of pineapple, mangoes and ripe peaches to make it special, a feature that incidentally makes it repetitive and not very snappy, bordering on stylized. The peat scratches beneath the surface of honey and nuts to emerge but does not bite. Overall it is very clean, almost aseptic for the medicinal finish.

What does Bowmore 12 Year Old Scotch taste like?

The fruit is warm, enveloping, embroidered with honey arabesques, but it doesn’t have a great variety or salty propulsion. Indeed the mythical call of the sea that surrounds Islay is very silent in this bottle. Medium-bodied structure, powerful but balanced alcohol, spicy tips, herbal and cocoa finish. It’s not too bad especially considering the very cheap price, but it doesn’t have a lot of personality for a peaty Islay whisky.

Cost of Bowmore 12-Year-Old Scotch

The price ranges between 34-38 euros: affordable.

Bowmore 12 Year Old Scotch food pairings

This good structure lends itself to combinations with BBQ preparations, chocolate and salmon, and smoked herring. Recommended dishes: chocolate salami, apple pie