first ever tasting of Bowmore 12 too floral

[HP 4 me]

Hey everyone. When it comes to Islay malts, i usually stick to Ardbeg Uigedail and my favorite Caol Ila. Afew days ago, I thought it would be nice to give the Bowmore 12 that has been sitting at the back of my shelf for a few years now, a try. I poured a measure, waited a few minutes, and then stuck my nose in the glass..... WOW!! I dont know where Bowmore gets lemon and honey on the nose for tasting notes, but all i got was FlOWERS!! Roses/lillacs basically a basket of flowers. Took a sip.... Yup more of the same.... to the point where it became borderline unenjoyable for me. Has enyone else found this with the 12 year old?

[Ganga]

I get floral notes on younger bowmore. I think of it as more lavendar but can see roses and lilac as good descriptors. My problem is that some of the Bowmores are more of a perfume than floral. Those become sickly sweet and foul.

[whiskgeek]

I haven't noticed floral, but the younger ones are always herbal - vegetal, green, weedy. Which is okay. Others are perfumey, which is horrible.

[taralt]

I agree, Bowmore 12 is quite floral and perfumey, and not in a good way. I thought it was ok when I first tried it, but now after having Ardbeg and Lagavulin the Bowmore seems a poor relation. Much less smoke than the other Isay's I've tried.

I also get a sort of buttery flavour from it? I do get the honey, but again in a sickly sort of way rather than the smooth, warming honey from good Speyside malts. Not a particularly complex whisky either.

[pkt77242]

I definitely get floral notes in Bowmore. Some are over the top on the floral notes and some have just a nice background note of floralness. Don't give up on Bowmore but it is wise to be selective when buying Bowmore, such as finding tasting notes from people you trust or trying it in advance.

[taralt]

I have heard that Bowmore's Tempest expression is supposed to be better. Has anyone tasted it?