Review #228; Scotch #72: Bowmore 13yr 2004 SMWS 3.310

SMWS 3.310 A Marooned Swordsmith

This is an IB bottling of Bowmore for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. It was aged for 13 years in a 2nd Fill Ex-Bourbon hogshead, with a total yield of 206 bottles.

ABV: 57.4%

Nose: Light Vanilla, Toasted Coconut, Baking Spices, Oak, Malty, slight peat

Palate: Medium, oily mouthfeel. Heat, Light Vanilla, oak, woody, tart and slightly off, light peat, hay, earthy.

Finish: Short, oak, wood, heat, earth.

Rating: 3/10

Unlike the SMWS Bowmore cask I had and reviewed several days ago that shined, this one is a hot, unbalanced, wood dominant mess somehow. The wood and earth is dominant in a way that I can’t enjoy.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect