Bowmore – 1998 Berry Bros & Rudd Exceptional Casks (70cl, 50.2%)

This is a 1998 Bowmore bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd as part of its Exceptional Casks range. It was matured in a hogshead and is bottled at 50.2% in a 70cl bottle. The distillery lies on the shores of Loch Indaal in Bowmore, the capital of Islay, and keeps its own malting house, which supplies the peated barley. The nose shows soft coastal peat smoke with thick tropical fruit, then opens into cigar smoke, harbour rope, grapefruit juice and dark chocolate. The palate begins with delicate peat smoke and a little spice before pineapple and guava arrive on the back palate, and these linger into a long finish.