Whisky Review/Tasting: Bowmore 12 years

[@summersky77]

The Bowmore 12 really surprised me. I enjoy very smoky/heavily peated earthy Scotches.However, the balanced flavour of the Bowmore has me tasting the fresh sea air with citrus notes and a pleasant smoke. It's the best bang for your buck Islay Scotch.

[@AlohaRaceTeam]

Drinking it as I watch this. Im in love with this one

[@Hex488]

I love this one. Very complex and smokey

[@porkins_jr719]

Bowmore 12 and Bowmore No. 1 both make excellent cheap daily drinkers. Quarter Cask and Ardbeg 10 on the weekends for me.

[@SoupFormifamli]

I asked my gf for a bottle of scotch or bourbon for Valentine's day, and this is what she got me. I quite like it as a newbie, and it's nice to hear someone with more tasting experience enjoys it as well.

[@munkeepilot]

Your girlfriend did you right. You're a lucky guy!

[@1961Humbucker1]

Thanks for this review Horst! I first started dabbling in Scotch whisky three years ago, my first bottle was a GlenLivet 12 which was a good choice for a beginner but then my second purchase was a Bowmore 12, and I really had a hard time to appreciate it, it was too much for me at that point. Here in Canada, the prices on liquor, Scotch in particular are pretty high but this Bowmore 12 just went on sale at $4.00 off the regular price, so I thought that since I've had a few more peaty/smoky whiskies since my first bottle of Bowmore 12 that maybe I should revisit this whisky. I just cracked open the bottle as I was watching this video and had a good size dram. I must say that it doesn't assault me like it did three years ago! It's peaty and slightly smoky and over all pretty damn good! The first experience with this left me with nothing more than a smoky/sooty taste in my mouth and the smell of band-aids, yikes!!! Glad I tried it again, it is pretty good value for money when on sale. I must pick up another bottle next week before the sale ends. Thanks again for all of your videos, I really enjoy watching them and getting your knowledgeable opinion.

[@Durian1st]

Bowmore 12 is going to be my fist islay scotch, after pooring 1 or 2 dram to small bottles, then I would let them open up overtime with cap on. Then experience the taste, this would be my first tasting. Hope I will like it. Going to get one Bowmore 12 today. Cheers. Thanks.

[@robertmorris5055]

First started drinking this when Wine Spectator ranked it number one single malt many years ago. Have tried all the Islays and this is still my favorite. Beautiful balance of smoke, iodine, and the the sea.

[@UniteForgetLeftRight]

I'm new to scotch and until I got this I had been mostly disappointed with my choices but I'm not someone who will spend $50+ on a bottle of booze. Love this stuff.

[@IsleofWightBushcraft]

Excellent tasting Horst. You didn’t mention the briney nuances, I definitely get briney estuary or salt marsh notes on the nose. I find a good prolonged intake through the nose reveals that by the sea nuance. A delicious Whisky I agree, although as far as tasting goes, I’m not in your league, far from it. Really enjoyed another of your tastings Horst, great stuff. I was a little disappointed to learn that bowmore adds artificial colour to its whiskies, I wish distilleries refrained form this practice. Keep it honest. Still a nice whisky though. Thank you Horst. Regards shane

[@pierresilvanascimento9266]

Analysis is very personal, I'll leave here what my feelings were at Bowmore 12 years. *Oilyness: Medium body, I didn't find it too oily or dense, but it's not thin either, I thought it had a good oiliness! For me, it doesn't need more than that, the oiliness it presents is cool. *Visual: although I use dye, I found the color beautiful!!! *On the nose: almost imperceptible alcohol, the first note I felt was the vegetable/organic of the peat, for me it reminds me a lot of manure (it's enough to be funny, but for those who are familiar with these characteristics of some whiskeys, I don't think it's bad :D) , then came the very faint smokey/smoky smell, and that of wood (oak). I found the scent to be very smooth and balanced. I didn't find it so sweet!!! These days I went to taste it again and the smell of bourbon was very evident (from the ex bourbon barrels), but I am no longer able to find that aroma, I need to concentrate more in the next tastings. With water or ice it enhances the smell of oak (like most whiskeys), the peat vegetable disappears and the smoky/smoked appears a lot more, and it gets a little sweeter.. I didn't find it fruity, but slightly citric. *Palate: Pure, the first note for me was the vegetable/organic of the peat, then a burnt taste (oak roast), even giving the sensation of burnt wood in the mouth, then comes the light smoky/smoked and finally a bitter reminiscent of dark chocolate. With ice or water it is a little simpler, it enhances the oak (like most whiskeys), the peat vegetable disappears and the smoky/smoked appears much more, but it ends with an even stronger sensation of the Oak roast (taste burnt), and finally a slight bitterness. *Summary: Very easy and tasty whiskey to drink neat, it is also very pleasant with ice!!!! I didn't find it sweet, and for those who don't like the peat vegetable, add water or ice, because with it pure the flavor of this vegetable stands out!! It's a very simple whiskey, for me it's not worth the price! I don't know if I would buy again, unless it's a mega sale of stock burning!!!

[@rayl9335]

Very good. First try this cool sunny Florida January 2021 afternoon. I favor Islays and the word that keeps coming to mind is balanced. Very nice blend of flavors. Briney, smoke, peat.

[@Don.keybals]

I'm a noob, I bought this one and yes it is nice, i think i like the smokey flavors, I think I will explore them more, thanks for the review

[@stianaslaksen5799]

Bought a Bowmore 12 for the first time today. I was pleasantly surprised. Thumbs up in my book.

[@silhofn3]

my first peated whiskey in my life... nice taste. smoke everywhere.

[@DrumDisciple1]

Tasting outdoors makes my favorite scotch whiskies taste and smell much too sweet. The other flavors and aromas always become muted. This is the first time I've heard another mention the negative effect of tasting in an uncontrolled environment. I'm glad it's not just me.

[@halaloola12]

This one is next on my "to get"list....and I cannot wait

[@djhart25]

a very good intro into Islay malts. I'm enjoying it very much

[@jonathanbean7097]

youre awesome

[@utoobia]

First try of this and I was hit immediately with a scent of new BMW leather interior. Wasn’t sure at first, but grew to like it after a couple drams.

[@crybabyteamo]

I haven't watched the video yet and I'm already laughing hard at this. I opened my bottle a while back and quickly dismissed it, as there was a scent to it I couldn't relate with anything, that is, until I saw your near-perfect description of "a scent of new BMW leather interior", couldn't be more accurate!!

[@AleDegustation]

Nice whisky, not over the top but remind me of peated stout that I had in Poland with strong burned cables and public toilet aromas but nice taste turned me over and I really enjoyed it. it's the same with this whisky, nice, gentle and user friendly. First step to more peated Islay whiskys. Cheers!

[@jimmynich4791]

Nice smooth whisky. Not the most complex but great if you like peaty whisky, haven't tried with a little bit of water but I imagine it will be good.

[@seasunandchiliesm4095]

I actually love it

[@NickGibbsmusic]

I really love this dram. It’s what I first used to discover the importance of nosing and then “chewing” the whisky for a long time before swallowing it. Horst, haben Sie eine Meinung darüber, wie man den Whisky vor dem Trinken bläst?

[@theGiantAngryRobot]

I really love the 15 Darkest, I think I will give this one a try next thank you!

[@seasunandchiliesm4095]

I bought bottle today and I’m going to enjoy it after work cheers

[@yanksrule311]

Cheers! What did you think?

[@richardborowski5463]

merry christmas horst enjoy all your reviews .

[@LesgoBrandon7]

This is just plain good stuff. I had to go to quite a few liquor stores to find a bottle. Great review.

[@NickTrop]

Your videos are great. My "go to's" are thus: Laphroaig 10, "Smokey Joe" (despite the name, an interesting peaty NAS vatted malt of various Islays despite the name available at Total Wines in the US as kind of a store brand. No coloring and sub $40 US price. A find. ) and Bowmore 12 for something more balanced.

[@bimscutney1242]

I get a very slight rubber/sulphuric aftertaste. It’s the only thing I don’t like about this whisky. Also, to me the flavors are very distinct from each other. They’re not hard to find. But overall a very good whisky.

[@pierresilvanascimento9266]

Análise é bem pessoal, vou deixar aqui quais foram as minhas sensações no Bowmore 12 anos. *Oleosidade: Médio corpo, não achei muito oleoso ou denso, mas também não é ralo, achei que tem uma boa oleosidade! Pra mim, não precisa mais que isso, está legal a oleosidade que ele apresenta. *Visual: embora use corante achei a cor bonita!!! *No olfato: álcool quase imperceptível, a primeira nota que eu senti foi do vegetal/orgânico da turfa, pra mim lembra muito estrume (chega ser engraçado, mas pra quem está familiarizado com essa características de alguns whisky, não acha ruim :D), depois veio o cheiro de defumado/esfumaçado bem fraco, e o de madeira (carvalho). Achei bem suave e equilibrado o cheiro. Não achei tão doce!!! Esses dias fui degusta-lo novamente e veio bem evidente o cheiro de bourbon (dos barris ex bourbon), porém não estou mais conseguindo encontrar esse aroma, preciso me concentrar mais nas próximas degustações. Com água ou gelo realça o cheiro do carvalho (como a maioria dos whisky), o vegetal da turfa desaparece e o esfumaçado/defumado aparece beeem mais, e fica um pouco mais doce.. Não achei frutado, porém levemente cítrico. *Paladar: Puro, a primeira nota pra mim foi o vegetal/ orgânico da turfa, depois um gosto de queimado (torra do carvalho), dando até a sensação de madeira queimada na boca, depois vem o leve esfumaçado / defumado e por último um amargo que lembra chocolate amargo. Com gelo ou água ele fica um pouco mais simples, realça o carvalho (como a maioria dos whisky), o vegetal da turfa desaparece e o esfumaçado/defumado aparece bem mais, porém finaliza com uma sensação mais forte ainda da torra do Carvalho (gosto de queimado), e por fim um leve amargo. *Resumo: Whisky muito fácil e gostoso de beber puro, é também bem agradável com gelo!!!! Não achei doce, e pra quem não gosta do vegetal da turfa, acrescente água ou gelo, pois com ele puro o sabor desse vegetal sobressai!! É um whisky bem simples, para mim não vale o preço! Não sei se compraria novamente, a não ser numa mega promoção de queima de estoque!!!

[@bogusz_mrfox]

Excellent!!

[@trinity396]

Thank you sir..

[@samuelmorse784]

I found a place selling Bowmore 12 for $28, an absolute steal. Suffice to say this liquor store was in a town of hicks that don't appreciate quality.

[@judythepunk461]

I never really likes scotch, i'm more of a bourbon guy, but this was really tasty

[@moodyplus]

This is great.

[@phillipbaritone3843]

Sadly this isn’t too affordable near me, easily $70 or more :/ but a great whiskey

[@jesseregenauer630]

Complex.... VERY much describes the flavors in this scotch. LOVE the taste of this one. I am curious if it is known specifically WHERE the ex bourbon casks came from------their original distilleries????

[@keithburnett-i7f]

8.25 he actually tastes his free samples!

[@sixty94lyf]

This is a smooth drink.

[@edwardo70]

Had this in my hand $43 here at my local liquor store but put it down for ardbeg an oa...next time I will get it

[@NeilAC78]

Ardbeg is great but Bowmore is lighter and a fair bit more complex. It's hard to pin down the flavour as it keeps changing the further you get through the bottle.

[@samuelmorse784]

43? Where are you located?

[@albuquerquenm3543]

I got it for 63. Where are you from?

[@darkoanton5]

'Poor' man's Lagavulin. Not as 'extreme'. A great value.

[@ganesankpillay3768]

Nice ! Islay stingky .?😂😂😂😂😂

[@agrisbatna1797]

Bowmore 12vs Highland park 12 wich better ? Thanks

[@olds98123]

agris batna k really depends on your individual tastes .

[@locopilot282]

agris batna i have had both! And personally, i would go with bowmore 12! The 15 darkest is wonderful as well.

[@Gotadrumkit]

Highland Park 12 without the shadow of a doubt! Tried this Bowmore12 on the basis of this and other reviews and honestly I am at a loss how people can enjoy this vile thing!

[@LesgoBrandon7]

Is peat smoke medicinal?

[@dachhh]

Not necessarily, but some of them, like a Laphroaig, have a strong smell of plasters and bandages.

[@harrr53]

Not for me. It doesn't have enough of anything.

[@samigunit]

Would you recommend adding a few drops of water to this Scotch?

[@vergecryptocurrency4552]

Being only 40% abv i doubt it

[@yanan3681]

A few drops won't hurt

[@jimmynich4791]

@@yanan3681 Peated whisky it's normally fine to add a little water.

[@superbird6176]

Can you recommend a whisky without artificial colours?

[@karateLynge]

The Arran Malt 10 is very good for its price. It has a strong vanilla and fruit on the nose, and is a very pleasant dram!

[@yanan3681]

Ardbeg 10 year old is beautiful

[@adidar01]

Macallan double cask gold

[@tatatatann]

Laphroaig Select has not also..

[@annadevries5785]

Highland park 12 years

[@jothomas1494]

is it just me??! it smells like a hospital. I prefer Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie.

[@Mr.Spaghettti]

no, I feel like it smells like the house of my grand parents when I was younger ahaha

[@ADSCP]

Ralfy considers this one as rubbish

[@emielio16]

It's still weird to me how he taste whisky

[@Lukas-kh5gu]

that‘s the proper way however. how else would you get the flavours out of it??

[@darrentrask7723]

Horst…..tip the whole thing in!

[@user-hp1qk1qg8x]

I'm gonna have to disagree, I know a 12 year old when I taste one, and that has to be closer to 5 or 6. SCAM

[@legambaz]

I'm sorry. I just can't get used to taste of this brand of whisky. Smells like hospital disinfectant.

[@MankindFails]

To me it tasted like rubber soles of cheap shoes.

[@rubenpartono]

What would you prefer to Bowmore? I want to get into peated whiskeys but don't know what to start with.

[@MankindFails]

@@rubenpartono Well I'm not an expert but if it's peat you wanna try the Bowmore is peated and it's cheap. I heard the 15 years old is more peaty but also sweeter. Also, if you go to a liquor store, you can always ask an employee.

[@takeawalkwithme803]

Yes.

[@Arvydas_M]

And now its 50euros. We need another big economic crash for the prices to drop down.... Or at least hipsters and all people who drink whisky+cola+ice mix to disappear.

[@MankindFails]

Why would anyone buy a pricey 12 years old scotch to mix it with coke and ice ?

[@Arvydas_M]

@@MankindFails Who knows, its hipsters... But people like this makes the prices rising, because the demand is rising.

[@MankindFails]

@@Arvydas_M Yeah it sure is sad, specially if it's wasted in the end. Good scotch should have a warning that if you mix it with coke it can kill you. Maybe some hipsters would believe it.

[@carlomejia]

good reviews, but we don't need to hear the inside of your throat gurgling, where is that microphone?

[@ixnay66]

Doesn't bother me in the least.

[@samcox6098]

i love hearing the sound of the him swooshing around the whsiky.. it's my favourite part.

[@alexpiron2754]

YES WE DO!

[@DutchNewbJr]

i can't stand the noises normally, but on these whiskey reviews my irritation is CURED for some reason.

[@NickGibbsmusic]

Ach, die Leute verstehen nicht. Oder, Horst? ;)

[@keithrose4227]

Does this guy ever not like a whisky? It bothers me that you like everything

[@samuelmorse784]

Proper 12

[@NotstarvinMarvin]

@@samuelmorse784 Proper trash according to god Horst.

[@bfhwhataboutthecavesdude6162]

You definitely know when he doesn't like a whisky...he might make a face or say something like "tastes like rhum and i hate rhum"...etc...there will always be some sign ...but without putting the whisky down completely. Also, he'll only have one sip if he doesn't like. With this Bowmore 12 he had 2 sips which means he likes it.

[@dominicbedeisaiah3352]

Jesus the audio of your mouth sounds and swallowing are cooked mate.