Bowmore Black Rock

Bowmore Black Rock, NAS, 40 %

The Bowmore Black Rock is part of the new Travel Retail range from Bowmore. This new range also includes Gold Reef and White Sands. This is a no age statement whisky, predominantly matured in ex-sherry casks.

The name Black Rock is explained as follows by the distillery:

Looking out the window of Bowmore Distillery, the Black Rock of Islay rises majestically out of Loch Indaal

The suggested retail price for the Bowmore Black Rock is GBP 50.

Nose (21/25): Caramel, oranges, white pepper, cinnamon, rubber hoses and and a hint of sulphur.

Taste (19/25): Caramel, toffee, and fruits (mainly oranges). A tiny puff of smoke appears and then is gone again.

Finish (18/25): Caramel and fruits still, but the peat is coming through more and more. Slightly salty. I am also picking up notes of perfume on the finish, which is not really my thing.

Balance (19/25): To me this whisky lacks a little bit of character. I would have wanted it a bit bolder, and with a higher ABV.

Score (77/100)

Image from Bowmore Distillery.

Sláinte! - Thomas