Bowmore 17 - opinions?

[Marvin]

I have a miniature of Bowmore 17 and it is a curious beast. The nose seems very peaty and that's about it, not much other noticable character there. The taste is very similar, quite smooth but not much character beyond some peat and smoke.

Compared to something like HP 12 it's really one-dimensional and not particularly characterful.

That's my opinion anyway. Are all Islay malts like this?

[Marvin]

There's a hint of lemon perhaps but the smoke and peat dominate. I reckon peated malts arent my thing.

[Mr Fjeld]

I like Bowmore 17 a lot; floral and smoky as in smoky bacon. I cannot say I find it one dimensional but I know a lot of people on this forum dislike it.
Maybe you only need time to "adjust" to peaty/smoky single malts Marvin?

[Marvin]

I dont know, I think I just prefer the honey/heather sort of malts. The Bowmore has a long smoky aftertaste.

[Reggaeblues]

"Mmmmm! Long smoky aftertaste...!!"

I love it.

[Drrich1965]

It is one that I found peaty, with some nice hay, flowers, and hints of malt in the middle...very solid malt in my book.

[Di Blasi]

That's a great whisky, really nicely peated, a bit sweet, and not so in your face, not extremely overly smoky, softer than some of the others.

[SeBBe]

I like Bowmore 17 a lot! Nice smoke, toffee and wonderful aroma of some crispy cookie It's also one of not so many I like to add little bit of water. Wonderful dram in my opinion!

[bamber]

Compared to something like HP 12 it's really one-dimensional and not particularly characterful.

That's my opinion anyway. Are all Islay malts like this?

Peaty malts taste primarily of smoke and iodine to my palate, but they do taste different to one another and I really enjoy them.

I like Bowmore 17yo and would not call it a heavily peated malt in the Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig mold. Maybe peat is not for you. Plenty of other whiskies to enjoy.

[Dubois]

For me,Bowmore 17 is a splendid Islay-malt with a nice balance;nicely flowery and smokey.
Very nice indeed

[Aidan]

Bowmore 17 would be my pick after Lagavulin 16. I think it's absolutely wonderful, with a beautiful light smokey finish. In fact, I think it has a unique finish.

[les taylor]

I love the Bowmore 17. Along with Bowmore Cask strength they are my favourite Bowmore's. Not too peaty either very nice after dinner drink I think.

[Craigellachie]

Islay has several wonderful distilleries. Most of the whisky made there is peaty and smoky and it is well worth trying many of them to find out which ones you like the best. For me, Ardbeg and Laphroiag are favorites.

[Reggaeblues]

Yes, Bowmore 17 is a lovely whisky and outstanding IMO among OBOBs!(official bottlings of Bowmore)

And now for something completely different...

Has anybody tried the new limited edition 16 YO from bourbon casks, which i just happen to be sampling as i open this thread?

Reminds me of a softer Lag 12...

[Deactivated Member]

If it's the same one I sampled at the distillery, yes. I don't quite take your comparison, RB, but I will say this is the first Bowmore I've ever had that I really sort of kind of like. (There's an endorsement for you.) Wonderful full oily body that nicely couches the Bowmore house flavors that I'm normally not too fond of. I'm sorry I didn't buy a bottle--it would have been worth getting to know, I think, and might even have opened the door for me to appreciating Bowmore.

[Paul A Jellis]

I went off Bowmore a year or so back, but it would seem that this one is worth trying, I think I'll check it out.

Cheers, Paul

[Frodo]

Has anybody tried the new limited edition 16 YO from bourbon casks, which i just happen to be sampling as i open this thread?

Reminds me of a softer Lag 12...

I see your comparison RB! Both show the distillery character quite well and both I drank without watering them down. Different flavours, but definatly remind me of being siblings...