Bowmore Laimrig 15 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch: Scottish Gaelic for ‘pier’, Laimrig celebrates Bowmore’s ancient stone pier where the distillery’s barley would once have been unloaded and their celebrated Single Malt first set sail for the four corners of the world. Finished in the finest Spanish sherry butts, this cask strength, non-chill filtered Bowmore Laimrig has a rich, dark character and colour, that is so well-balanced. On the nose: you’ll get a lovely sweet waft of sherry and dark chocolate, almost like that of chocolate covered raisins. This is then followed by some spices – most distinctively ginger – liquorice, a few medicinal notes (TCP) and smoke. On the palate: those sweet notes of sherry aren’t so predominant but that combination of dark chocolate covered raisins nosed are ever-present. Those spices start to filter through with the ginger again being the most notable The finish: is very smooth and grainy; yet quite fudgy at the same time, with long lasting lingering peat.
The verdict: A very well-balanced scotch whisky full of beautiful notes. This Bowmore Laimrig is aged in ex-sherry casks but is not overbearingly sweet and has the most beautiful milky texture, with just the right amount of peat. Being cask strength you’d be forgiven for thinking you may need to add a drop of water or two but in my opinion it doesn’t require any, all it needs is just time to breathe. However, if need be, by all means add water to suit your palate.
Bowmore Laimrig 15 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky can be found online at The Whisky Shop for approximately £70. For more information visit the official Bowmore website.
