Bowmore Tempest 10 YO - Batch V

Bowmore Tempest 10 YO - Batch V, 55.9%

I have no idea why Bowmore Tempest 10 YO - Batch V is released in Norway this week. It was originally released by the distillery in 2015/2016. The newest of this previously annual release, the batch VI, was released in 2016. Strange, but who cares. Maybe someone (tm) found a forgotten pallet somewhere.

The Bowmore Tempest 10 YO - Batch V has been matured in 1st fill bourbon casks. It is termed “small batch”, but I believe the batch size is around 20 000 bottles.

See previous reviews of batch 1 and batch IV.

You can get your hands on the Bowmore Tempest 10 YO - Batch V in Norway this Friday at NOK 630 (5266901).

Nose: Wow! Very light, I’d almost call it sublime. Tropical fruits and vanilla. Mildly malty, with medium peatiness in the form of sweet and herbal wood smoke.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied. Very spicy, almost raw up front. Ashes, fruits and floral notes. Not as sweet as the nose. Some oaky bitterness.

Finish: Medium long finish. More oaky in character now. Honey sweetness, rich peatiness and a certain amount of young-ish rawness.

Comment: The nose is amazing. This is great example of how great 1st fill bourbon goes with peated new make when the stars align and there’s quality all the way. On the palate is comes a cross as a little young though.

Score 87/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas