Bowmore – 9 Year Old (70cl, 40%)

This is Bowmore 9 Year Old, an Islay single malt at 40% ABV in a 70cl bottle. It is matured for at least nine years in hand-selected ex-bourbon casks of American oak and Oloroso sherry butts of European oak. The two cask types bring sweet wood notes, fruit, sherry sweetness and spice, with soft smoke and sea salt adding a maritime edge. The colour is natural, and the whisky is chill-filtered. The nose has apple-sweet sherry, juicy blackcurrants and cocoa with a touch of smoke. On the palate, cinnamon-dusted raisins meet gentle smoke and a trace of sea salt. The finish is long and warming, with fine smoke and sweetness.