Whisky: Bowmore 18 Year (2004), SMWS 3.344 "Maritime meandering"

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 57.3%

Cask: 2nd Fill Bourbon Hogshead

Age: 18 Years (Distilled 16 Feb. 2004, Bottled 2023)

Nose: Fruity and coastal with subtle floral and fruity impressions of orange blossom, sakura, and honeysuckle; more fruits appeared over time with guava, honeydew, lychee, and creamy cherimoya; background notions of wispy tobacco smoke, and aromatic cedar.

Palate: Medium-bodied, oily and resinous, peppery at first, citrusy lemon peel, strawberry and pineapple candies, tea resin, more herbal toward the end with white tea, nectarine, and wispy smoke.

Finish: Medium to long and drying with fruit skins and tea tannins.

Score: 8 (88)

Mental Image: Beach Garden Wedding

Narrative & Notes:  I tried this blind with our local whisky club as part of a blind face-off in which one member put their bottle-selecting skills against a trio of single casks selected by Neil Patrick Harris for SMWS. The only rule was that he stick to a similar budget as the SMWS series.

This bottle came second in the lineup. I guessed it was the SMWS Bowmore cask selected by Neil Patrick Harris. A few other members guessed Glen Scotia or other potentially mild and fruity coastal distilleries. I found it so similar to the other 2004 Bowmore I have had that there was just nothing else it could be.

I was right! It was nice having some idea of what half of the whiskies could be; typically, if I do a blind tasting, it is totally blind, and I have no idea what it could possibly be.  This was good for the ego as I correctly picked out all three of the SMWS picks and managed one totally blind shot in the dark for the other three.

The mix of soft tropical fruits and florals with an underlying coastal quality is just so recognizable; this was not the first time I have identified a sibling cask as Bowmore in a blind lineup. I love all of these 2004 Bowmore and maintain that something magical was going on at the distillery that Monday, February 16th.

Overall, delicious and one of the three drams picked as winners during the face-off.