I haven’t reviewed many Cadenhead’s bottlings on here, but I’ve had more than a few, and like this Cadenhead’s Bowmore 14-Years, they’ve been good… for the most part. They’re among the handful of indie bottlers out there you can almost always grab a random bottle by and be happy with what ends up in your glass.
In Cadenhead’s Words: Cadenhead’s Bowmore 14-Years
“William Cadenhead bottlings are released at either their natural cask strength or reduced to 46% depending on the tasting panels preferred strength for each selection. Distilled in 1998. Bottled in 2013. Matured in Bourbon Hogsheads for 14 years. Non-chill filtered. One of only 792 bottles.
Tasting Notes:Soft smokiness with notes of strawberries and cream bringing out the smooth texture. Enjoy the lingering smoky finish with soft creamy notes.”
Not much else to say here; it’s an indie Bowmore. On to the Cadenhead’s Bowmore 14-Years review.
Cadenhead’s Bowmore 14-Years Info
Region: Italy, Scotland
Distiller: Bowmore
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon Hogshead
Age: 14 Years
ABV: 46%
Price: $100
Cadenhead’s Bowmore 14-Years Review
EYE
Golden
NOSE
Big smoke bomb with layers of roasted meat, caramel, fruit, honey, cinnamon and an earthy malt quality.
PALATE
Big smoke bomb with layers of roasted meat, caramel, fruit, honey, cinnamon and an earthy malt quality. A carbon copy of the aroma and it’s just as lovely here as it is there.
FINISH
Long fade of peat, malt, fruit, vanilla and brown sugar.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, full body and a smooth warm feel.
OVERALL
Cadenhead’s Bowmore 14-Years is a lovely release that exemplifies what the upper end of “standard” Bowmore can taste like. It’s not flashy, it’s not “brilliant” nor is it crave-worthy. What it is, is nice. This is a sit-down-and-relax Bowmore that teeters on being something more and that teetering is partially what made me enjoy it so much the evening I tried this.
After a bit fair some subtleties begin to show up and a richer fruity underpinning arises to balance out the peat and underlying metallic / alkaline nature of this whisky. The Cadenhead’s Bowmore 14-Years simple, but well done and something I’d definitely be happy drinking any day of the week. Though would you expect anything less from Cadenhead’s? They have a stellar record of pulling good casks.
SCORE: 83-86/100 (B, not consumed at home)