Review #38: Bowmore "Tempest", batch 4, 55.1%, OB

the turkey is brining; I need to be peated

This is "Tempest," the gimmick for which is first-fill bourbon, 10 years old, and cask strength. Those are fairly good gimmicks as far as gimmicks go. I believe this is the same stuff called "Dorus Mor" here in the States, where it costs about twice as much. (!!!) Of course, we get an extra 5cl in each bottle.

(It makes all the naming seem silly if the same thing could just as well be called something else. And I'm not sure how they figured out the U.S. pricing on this -- more than Laphroaig CS, Corryvreckan, even a bit more than Laga CS.)

Anyway, it smells good. Starts off with lots of peat, of course, moving between a creamy/earthy peat, a floral peat, and something a little mentholated. After a few minutes some candied sweetness, citrus, and then coastal notes come through. It takes a couple minutes to move past the wave of peat, but not too long. I find these fruit notes that I associate with Bowmore, too: rose hips and pickled plums. I'm fond of them. Some sweet floral notes, too -- I'd have guessed this was older if I didn't know better.

The palate seems too candied for me -- somewhere between toffee and fruit gummies. I suppose it helps balance out the peat -- and there are waves of peat -- but (I think) I'd be happy with something more austere. Some licorice and wood spices, too. Feels chewy.

I have to say I really like this profile. I feel like the sweetness is washing out some distinctness, but it's not cloying at all. I'd buy a bunch at the European price.

score: 88