Bowmore 36yo 1972 (45.4%, Signatory, C#3890, 540 Bts., +/-2009)

An aged Bowmore from the famed Islay distillery. On the nose there is an immediate waft of peat smoke and sherry however the combination does offer some calming influence on the peat smoke. The two together are a sublime combination evoking memories of glistening Christmas cake and sherry wine while the oak influence presents as some really good dark chocolate and a lumber yard strewn with wood chips. Very, very rich and quite an excellent collection of aromas. The taste is a sensational facsimile of the nose with some really good black pepper thrown into the mix and some dryness however the heady combination of peat smoke and sherry are a success story. Late hint of coal smoke and some really good sweetness in the form of warm Lychee (right off the tree) and Bing cherries in syrup. The finish is slightly austere and dry but then the chocolate and the peat smoke come rushing in quickly followed but some oak spice. An excellent finish here, all points of the compass represented.

Many thanks to Andrew Ferguson of Kensington Wine Mart Calgary for the sample, Andrew describes this whisky as the poor man’s Black Bowmore and fault cannot be found with this description.

Score 93 points

$635