Black Bowmore 1964, 31 years old, Final Edition, 1,812 bottles, 49% abv.

Althought it's called the "Final Edition", It's actually the 3rd edition and another Final Edition, well actually 5th edition, was released around 2015/16. This third "final" edition was released as part of a trio, with black coming out in 2007, white in 2008, and gold in 2009. All 7 of those special Bowmores (5 black, 1 white, 1 gold) are from 1964. That's because in 1963, Bowmore went bankrupt, primarily due to market conditions, and Stanley P. Morrison Ltd. bought them out. 1964 was their first distillation, which laid the foundation to these legendary editions/casks. Black Bowmores are all Oloroso sherry casks, or at least this one is.

Nose: intense, oaky wood, young tofu, lotus leaves, faint plums at a distant, hints of green and purple grapes, there is ALOT going on, could feel that abv effect.

Palate: initially light fruits, wood at the end, old steamed lotus leaves come at the end as well. Like the white bowmore, there is a focused flavor profile that I seriously cannot identify, but it is a more intense version of the white bowmore. No smoke, no peat.

Finish: moderate to short, a pulse of wood and steamed lotus leaves, earthy tobacco, semi-intense.

Dry glass: burnt popcorn, old steamed lotus leaves, waxy.

Intense dram! Relative to the white bowmore, it is more flavorful, more intense, extra spice going on, just an overall more intense version.  Alot going on on the palate. Again, relative to the White Bowmore this is great! Its like Kanga Roo meat to american steak, too concentrated. One of those super scotches.

Grade: A

Whiskyfun.com, Serge, 91 points
Malt maniacs, Olivier Humbrecht, 93 points
Malt maniacs, Michel van Meersbergen, 85 points
Malt maniacs, Robert Karlsson, 94 points
Malt maniacs, Konstantin Grigoriadis, 91 points
Malt maniacs, Craig Daniels, 95 points
Malt maniacs, Pit Krause, 95 points
Malt maniacs, Thomas Lipka, 87 points

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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