Bowmore

The 5 stars is for the 18 yo, but take the rating with a grain of salt -- I have limited experience. I tasted both the 12yo and 18yo Bowmores at a single malt Scotch Whisky tasting and the 12yo was my favorite until we got to the 18yo (the last of the samples). The other samples were all younger than 18yrs, but some were older than 12yrs.  I subsequently bought a bottle of the 18yo for myself and it continues to impress me. I have yet to try some other Islay whiskies in the greater-than-12yo varieties. Perhaps there are others I will like equally as well or even more (thus the grain of salt mentioned above). In any case it is hard to see how one could go wrong with either the 12yo or 18yo (and I presume other ages as well). You should be able to get the 12yo for about US$40-50 and the 18yo for about US$70-80 (plus tax and shipping). Another note: I found it hard to find the 18yo. None of the local stores had it, including some big chains. I had to order it over the Internet and pa... Read more

The 25 year old is as good as it gets or at least the maximum I can afford. It was given to me for my retirement.

A full flavored scotch, passes the first taste with flying colors (12yro). Smooth at first, then an explosion of taste that leaves an after taste to be remembered. A bottle to buy for your scotch bar for sure

Chocolate orange. A light Islay with a slightly bittersweet aftertaste that won't be to everyone's liking. Still one of my favourites.

There are 10 Bowmore products on the market in America, ranging in different ages and strengths. McClelland Islay is also a Bowmore whiskey. The 12 year is probably the most familiar of the range. What they all have in common is that they are from the island of Islay. You'll taste the island water, peat and locally grown malts. In them I've recognized honey, heather, caramel and pear notes. But the thing that makes any Islay distinctive is that part of the maturation process is to allow the casks to rest in pits below sea level near the seashore, where they take on a salty, seaweed-y flavor that just doesn't come from anywhere else. That may not sound like something you'd want in a whiskey--and if so, that's ok. More for the rest of us who know these are one of the world's greatest drinking pleasures.

This rating concerns the 17 y.o. version, which is characterized by the typical Islay whisky flavor, but is smooth,rounded and perfectly balanced. The 12 y.o. is also o.k. but not as good as its older brother.

First Islay I ever drank over thirty years ago--still a delight! I was shocked at first, but the return trips to the Isle of Islay became more pleasurable and I wonder why I waited so long to sample its product.

This comment is focused entirely on the Bowmore Darkest which is an ethereal scotch, the best I have experienced (Lagavulin would be its only equal in my pantheon of scotches). The Mariner came highly recommended in a previous comment. I will try that next out of curiosity and report back.

EXCELENT Sophistication and depth for a VERY GOOD price. Perhaps a little delicate for an Islay Malt. Try Laphraoig as well.

12 year old. Incredibly rich flavor of peat.

If Bowmore is meant (instead of Browmore), the rating should be very great. The problem of Bowmore is the important number of bottlings. If this concerns the Surf or Legend bottling, it deserves a good, but if a Mariner or Darkest is taken into consideration, even 5 stars ar not sufficient