Bowmore Islay 18 Year Old Review

It’s nice but it also packs a punch to the wallet as you’d expect from whiskies that have been in the cask for longer. The Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch has been matured for 18 years which means it is not as in your face as the 12 or 15 year old siblings from the distillery, although there is still an element of spice (peppery) which is also found in the younger siblings. With extra years in the cask it also means the peatiness is a little more subdued which will appeal to those not into heavily smoked whiskies. You can definitely find fruity sweet notes to this scotch as well so you get a little bit of everything but no characteristic is overly prominent.

There’s no doubt that this is a good quality whisky but it does feel like there’s something missing. Something to make it more memorable. It’s a good example of where older doesn’t mean better as the 12 year old is a solid option as well. For those looking for all round balance with subtle smokiness, sweetness and a bit of spice, this a strong choice but you may find cheaper alternatives from Islay distilleries.