Introduction

I was curious about this particular Bowmore bottling — a 2016 vintage released by Douglas Laing for DeinWhisky.de — mainly because independent releases of Bowmore don't show up all that often. Given the distillery’s long history and house style, I expected a combination of gentle peat and coastal freshness. At just seven years old, I also anticipated a more vibrant, distillate-driven experience.

Nose

Right from the first nosing, this whisky shows its youthful side. There's a firm hit of ashy peat, one that leans clean rather than farmy. A briny edge follows, like sea spray on a rocky shore. Behind that are tart green apples, lemon zest, and aniseed. It's bright, with very little oak influence, which lets the spirit lead the conversation. The smoke feels sharp and well-defined, slightly herbal, even medicinal in places, but never overpowering.

Palate

On the palate, it's crisp and direct. The peat comes through immediately — more bonfire ash than smouldering earth — and it's joined by saltwater, dried seaweed, and citrus peel. There's a mineral lift here, like wet stones. The texture is fairly light and zippy, not oily. As it opens up, I get a soft sweetness, like barley sugar or diluted honey, but it's subtle. The overall impression is coastal and youthful, with the peat showing in a clean, slightly antiseptic style that’s often associated with younger Islay whisky.

Finish

The finish is medium in length. The ashy peat remains, mingling with a salty tang and a touch of lemon oil. A faint medicinal note lingers — not Laphroaig-level iodine, but something in that realm. There's also a trace of white pepper heat at the end, but it’s not aggressive. The fading notes are clean and leave the palate reset, which I appreciated.

Price and Value

Considering this is a 7-year-old single cask Islay whisky, the pricing was reasonable for an independent bottling. It offers a clear expression of the distillate without too much oak influence, so if you're interested in tasting a young Bowmore in a near-naked form, this bottle makes sense. It's not a dramatic or overly complex whisky, but it’s honest in what it delivers.

Background

This expression was distilled at Bowmore Distillery on Islay in 2016 and bottled in 2023 by Douglas Laing, a long-established independent bottler known for their single cask releases. It came from a refill hogshead, which explains the light colour and minimal oak character. At 7 years old and bottled at cask strength (over 52%), it’s a good example of young, peated Islay whisky that hasn't been shaped too heavily by wood. Bowmore itself often focuses on more balanced and matured releases, so it’s interesting to taste something this youthful and direct.

Final Notes

Would I buy it again? Yes — though not necessarily to sip every night. It’s one of those bottles I’ll reach for when I’m in the mood for something sharp, smoky, and straightforward. It's also fair to ask if this is beginner-friendly: I think for someone used to Islay whisky, yes, but for a newcomer it might feel a bit raw. As for when I enjoy it most, I’d say it's best on cooler evenings, especially with salty snacks. And how does it compare to other Bowmores I've tried? It’s less rounded than their distillery bottlings, but it brings a clearer sense of the distillate, which makes it an interesting point of comparison.