Bowmore 26 Years Old 1989 Mission Gold (50.4%, Murray McDavid, Cask #3, 298 Bottles, 2015)

Single cask Bowmore, presented as part of Murray McDavid’s illustrious Mission Gold indie bottling series! It was distilled in 1989, initially matured in a bourbon barrel and finished in a Chateau Latour wine cask until it was bottled in October 2015. A release of just 298 bottles, presented at 50.4% ABV.

• ABV: 50.4%
• Age: 26 Years Old
• Bottling: Murray McDavid, Mission Gold, Cask #3
• Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £sold out
• Origin: Bowmore distillery
• Vintage: 1989

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: The wine cask makes itself know right away with juicy red grapes and seductive sweetness. Soon enough, the classic Bowmore peat begins to take hold…
• Palate: This continues on the palate, with the smoky, medicinal peat taking the lead. Dark fruits surround the malt, with a touch of fiery cinnamon developing.
• Finish: A lasting, creamy finish.

What I say

Sadly all too often overlooked, I have been dissappointed by too many OB Bowmore’s of late, though still have fond memories of their 18 Year old sampled at the distillery bar a good few years ago now. Delighted to have the chance to taste this well figured sample, without realising this had been finished for around 5 years in a Chateau Latour red wine cask, well initially anyway.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes:

• Appearance: Dark blood orange gold (13/20), medium-large tears, medium legs.
• Nose: Tannic, sherry, red grapes, cherries, raisins, rancio, spun sugar, caramel, earthy and turfy/peaty, crystalline sugars, aged oak, antique shop.
• Taste: Full bodied, brown sugar crystals, dried fruits, earthy peat, red grapes, cherries, bakewell tart, raspberry, liqourice, bitter, cinnamon, fiery oak chips.
• Finish: Long, spiced and sweet, roast beef and red wine jus with distant smoke.
• Overall: Fruity, red wine tannins, earthy smoke and perhaps just a little over-spiced on the finish, I think it is fair to say I massively enjoyed this Bowmore though I am quite partial to red wine finishes done well.

Score 87/100

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