Bowmore 16 Year (1999), Rudder Ltd. Cask 2260
Whisky: Bowmore 16 Year (1999), Rudder Ltd. Cask 2260
Country/Region: Scotland/Islay
ABV: 57.9%
Cask: Sherry Butt
Age: 16 Years (Distilled 1999, Bottled 2016)
Nose: Maritime, dirty industrial, metallic, coal soot, subtle tropical fruit, hints of barbecue smoke, medicinal herbs.
Palate: Medium-bodied, spirited, oily, peppery, dusty earth, industrial and dirty, tropical fruits, metallic, brine, tarry ropes, hessian.
Finish: Medium to long with cacao husks, ashy earth, and hints of fruit.
Score: 6-7 (79)
Mental Image: Tropical Island Tarmac Airport Lounge
Narrative & Notes: An old pineapple cannery by the coast; the aroma was loaded with rusted metal, maritime brine, coal soot, and industrial debris— hints of pineapple and white guava were all that remained of a derelict cannery. Barbecue grill smoke and charred seafood appeared with subtle burning kiawe (or mesquite) wood, sage, and mellow medicinal herbs. Medium-bodied and very oily, the flavors were dirty with plenty of peppery brine leading tar, oil slicks, and dusty earth. A coastal spa mud facial perhaps? Complete with slightly metallic pineapple juice and a buffet of aʻu (marlin) sashimi with a touch of salty shoyu, tingling pickled ginger, and peppery wasabi for dipping. Dirtier, slightly metallic smoke lingered near the end with tarry ropes and hessian. The finish was medium to long with cacao husks, ashy earth, and hints of fruit.
This was a shockingly dirty affair from the nose to the finish and I cannot recall another Bowmore I have had that was quite so earthy and ashy. It had classic tropical fruits and brine with a mellow industrial edge, but gradually took on more tar, earth, and acrid elements. The sherry butt must have played a role in that evolution, pulling out some of those earthy and dirty notes, and giving the peat an uncommon ashy quality. I need to be in the mood for this kind of whisky.
Overall, an interesting and uncommon Bowmore— a touch spirited, but the peppery quality paired nicely with the briny backbone.
Image Credit: Scotch&Sheen; be sure to check out his wonderful review through the link!
