Bowmore 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Clara Johansson — A proper time capsule

9/10

Picked this up at auction and it's everything I hoped for. The old-style Bowmore 12 has this gorgeous balance of peat smoke and tropical fruit that the modern version just can't match. At 43% it drinks beautifully neat — rich and oily with a long salty finish. Yes, £900 is steep, but for a piece of Islay history it feels almost justified.

Gianluca Ferro — A proper time capsule

9/10

Picked this up at auction and it's everything I hoped for. The old-style Bowmore 12 has this gorgeous balance of peat smoke and tropical fruit that the modern version just can't match. At 43% it drinks beautifully neat — rich and oily with a long salty finish. Yes, £900 is steep, but for a piece of Islay history it feels almost justified.

Priya Sharma — Smoky and surprisingly sweet

8/10

Finally got to try this at a friend's tasting night. The nose is classic old Bowmore — dark chocolate, violet, and just the right amount of coastal peat. I preferred it with a few drops of water which really opened up the honey and citrus notes. Lovely dram, though I'm not sure I could bring myself to pay current market prices for a full bottle.