This bottle felt like a litmus test for whether one enjoys the floral lavender and parma violet qualities that make 1980s Bowmore famous— or infamous. I shared it with many a friend without telling them anything about it so they could approach as a tabula rasa for the whisky (or near enough since they could see the age, bottler, and abv.) 

Only one person remarked that they found it soapy and off-putting, most were surprised at the smoke and faintly industrial elements considering the age of the whisky. If you can believe it, I thought the Thompson Brothers undersold the level at which the 1980s Bowmore stood out on this whisky, but you’ll hear no complaints from me on that front— I was shocked at how strong it was considering the age and low abv.

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Whisky: TB/BSW 40 Year (1984), Thompson Brothers

Country/Region: Scotland/Blend

ABV: 40.4%

Cask: Refill Butt

Age: 40 Years (Distilled March 1984, Bottled Oct. 2024)

Notes: An unmistakable floral quality sweetly ascended from the glass with a surprisingly pungent and slightly medicinal smoke which became wispier over time— burning floral aromatics to cleanse the air of miasmatic vapors. Charred citrus rinds, a tangy clementine, and tangerine paired with hints of lavender and greater portion of hibiscus and passionflower. Herbal passion tea and ginger stems met with a touch of violet candies and beachside brine— all very mellow and infused the pastels of an early sunrise. Light-bodied on the palate, the flavors were similar with loads of tropical floral teas, violet and currant candies, burdock and ginger steam, and a teasing floral smoke— very perfume-like. Beachside botanical gardens were in full bloom on the palate with hints of coconut scattered among the rattan benches, bleached coral, and occasional cigarette butt. The finish was long with slightly sweet floral candies, tea cakes, and herbal tisanes.

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Score: 8 (86)

Mental Image: Pastels and City Pop in Y2K

Conclusion: I adored this bottle, especially as I have really come to enjoy somewhat floral flavor profiles (which I know some find soapy). It was quite light on the palate, but the flavors were still vibrant and finish pleasantly long, if not rather soft. I found it to be the sort of whisky that disappears remarkably fast out of the glass and a perfect pour to start the evening and sure enough, the bottle disappeared far too fast.