This is a 28yo Bowmore distilled in 1989 and bottled by Wemyss Malts for an all-star slate of whisky bars including The Mash Tun, Elysian, The Drunken Master and 61Monarchy in Malaysia, where I drammed this.

Tasting Notes

Nose: ylang ylang and patchouli perfumed 1980s Bowmore at first, but this moderates with air to honey-baked ham, maple syrup, cherry tomatoes.

Palate: oregano, rosemary, monkfruit, chamomile, but patchouli remains strong.

Finish: the clean smoke of binchotan, oregano intensifies, bitter oiliness of biting into thyme, a whiff of baby powder

Very perfumed even as we head towards the end of the notorious perfumed era of 1980s Bowmore. I would have been able to appreciate the perfumes as an interesting piece of history, but the perfume did not integrate with the sweet-meaty-earthy notes at all. The strong hit of oregano on the finish is particularly hard to ignore...... Not to mention the very strong patchouli note throughout as well. Complex and rich, owing to the presentation, but out of balance and not very enjoyable if it makes any sense.

A 78, regrettably, despite the age, presentation and distillery name.

H.Y.