Bowmore – 40 Year Old 2021 Release (70cl, 48.7%)

A 40 year old Islay single malt from Bowmore, released in 2021 as a limited run of 159 bottles worldwide. It was inspired by time and by the distillery's seafront setting, with the colours and textures of Islay's ancient stone and bleached driftwood in mind. Bottled at a cask strength of 48.7% in a 70cl bottle, it is a deep mahogany colour. The nose offers honey, treacle and exotic fruits with beeswax and caramel. On the palate come pipe tobacco and chocolate with spices, leather, chestnuts and pralines, leading to a long, lingering finish.