| Rich Howard | the nose suggests a "dessert in a glass", with milk chocolate, caramel, sweet mascarpone, lightly salted cashews, and a heavy tropical fruit punch, including the ginger ale. restrained notes of peat drift from behind the chocolate and tangy fruits. if you're looking for dessert, the palate doesn't disappoint: quite sweet with plenty of chocolate on the tongue, followed closely by a very rich fruit and berry reduction, eventually giving way to a finish of subtle peat and herbs that lasts forever. the intensity of the chocolate notes is remarkable. water does diminish the chocolate on the nose, leaving more room for some raspberry compote and more salted cashews, topped with a sprig of mint... more vegetal notes now: a brick of sun-dried peat, and a chunk of wood from yesterday's fire. the palate is also lighter on chocolate and heavier on salted nuts now, the herbal, peaty finish more pronounced. a joy at cask strength, if somewhat boisterous. water tames the beast a bit, but you lose some vibrancy and complexity. overall, a quality Bowmore. quite delicious, especially if you like them sweet. |
