Bowmore – 14 Year Old Bordeaux Casks (70cl, 43%)

Bowmore 14 Year Old is an Islay single malt matured first in American ex-Bourbon casks and then finished in Bordeaux wine barriques. The finish gives a fruity counterpart to the distillery's smoky, maritime character. It is bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle. The nose brings Black Forest gateau and ripe cherries with pine nuts and sea salt, then peppery smoke, dry earthiness, blackberries, lilies and dried grapes. The palate is salty, dry and spicy before full cherry, red apple and red fruit gum flavours come through, with a smooth texture and a touch of campfire smoke. In the finish raspberries, cherries and strawberries turn to bitter dark chocolate.