Anoter SMWS dram, a Bowmore this time. I’m always a bit afraid before tasting a Bowmore, since there are so many drams high in FWP. FWP is a description given to Bowmore’s taste, since it can taste a lot like fabric softener or cheap perfume. FWP stands for French Whore Perfume. Overly flowery with a whiff of alcohol.

Luckily, recently Bowmore has veered away from FWP in their releases and they are much improving again. It’s never going to be up to the level of greatness it was in the 1960’s, but they can be quite highly rated once more.

Nose:
Light heather with a whiff of smoke and VERY floral. A hint of salt is there too, but a tad too high in FWP.

Taste:
Sweet vanilla and a flowering meadow with poppies and such. Some white pepper too for a spicy edge. Its sharp, but not too much alcohol.

Finish:
Now I’m getting the true Bowmore character I recognize. Its not overly smoky, its floral but less so than on the nose. A hint of spice and a little bit of zest. Maybe a hint of white grape?

An odd one. In general, its too floral for me. Slightly peaty fabric softener. I like the heathery notes, and the general character of this whisky, but the floral scents and tastes overpower it a bit.

SMWS 3.169, Pagoda reek drifting over Loch Indaal, Bowmore, 14 years old, 56.6%, April 1994 to 2010. Used to cost about €70, but its sold out.

Nose: 3
Taste: 5
Finish: 5
Overal experience: 4
Price/quality: -1

Total: 16 points