Bowmore Darkest *Sherry Casked*

  What I have before me today is an older bottling of Darkest from Bowmore of the island of Islay, Scotland. Judging by their website, the newer expressions of Darkest are 15 years. My bottle doesn't have an age statement per say so some further research will reveal whether her unspoken age is 15...or not. I originally purchased the bottle from my previous place of work, Great Spirits, where for three years she gazed at me and me back at her until I could resist her siren's call no more.
I am glad I finally chose the path of least resistance to Bowmore savoring bliss. Not necessarily the peatiest or saltiest example to start with, she nonetheless wore her sherry robes in glorious sophistication. Adding to her overall unique maritime charm is the active use of her own maltings, something which very few scotch distilleries do anymore.
In my virgin venture into sherry casked single-malts, I realized a horrendous deficiency in my tasting palate: sherry. Oloroso, Amontillado, Fino and beyond, these eyes, nose, lips, tongue, and body haven't yet explored this arena of sensory indulgence. Obviously an immediate resolution is in the works where sherry bottles of all varieties, origins, and stories will soon grace my liquor cabinet.
In the meantime though, I shall proffer my burgundian impressions of this fine single-malt. As my second review and much like my first and many more to come, she was chosen by my lovely.

Color: polished burgundy. deep rich woods steeped in time; like a gentleman's club of yore.

Nose: apples. sweet polished woods of luxurious high society designs. oil and polish, orange infused. black cherries juicy and divine. gentle pervasive essence of leaves changing color, a chill in the air, and winter creeping in. sticky. stewed spiced fruits; cherry, apples, plums, apricots.

Body: swirls with a long lingering oily layer. sticky then long and dry. clean.

Palate: sweet with silken stickiness up front and through the middle. dryness of sherry, wood, and spice take over the end and linger long. apple skins and spice mingle warmly with the wood. cherries and grapes sweetly stewed and spiced. brings to mind relaxing in front of a winter fireplace. fallen leaves of varied autumnal colors. maple melted apricots and apples.

Finish: long lingering dry and warm. a salty breeze settles in long after each quaff has passed. spices tickles amidst the dryness.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Highland Park 12 year

  I have been looking forward to tasting the 12 year Highland Park single-malt since I brought her home. Ironically, my first Highland Park was the 15 year but that was long ago. A revisit is in order but seeing as the 12 year expression is a timeless classic, I can't imagine a better first for A Dram A Day, chosen especially by my lovely.
My bottle is an older bottling in the sense that it is the old round bottle design; the new bottle design is more of an oval shape and the label has a sleek new modern appearance. To clarify though, single-malts do not change/mature once bottled, but the stock mine came from may be different than the stock a new bottle of 12 year came from. Maybe.
Either way, a classy and classic single, I'd recommend Highland Park for both the novice and the aficionado alike.

Color: golds and coppers.

Nose: honeyed heather. forceful and big. embers and cinders, still glowing. orange marmalade. pepper. cinnamon apples. marzipan.

Body: decent tears. mouthcoating. sweet and sticky in the middle. lasting.

Palate: honeycomb. spice in the back. red hot woods and glowing embers. sticky orange marmalade. straw and dry grass in the back. heather. spice tickles. marzipan. apple cobbler.

Finish: long and sticky. honeycomb. flambeed orange marmalade.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)