Bowmore 12 Year Old

Whisky Type/Region: Single Malt Scotch Whisky/Islay 

Bottle Size: 750ml

Alcohol by Volume: 40%

Notes:After my first exposure to peated whisky, with Talisker 10 went so well, I decided to try one from the isle of peated whiskies, Islay. My first pick was this Bowmore 12, and frankly, it was a bit of a disapointment. It had the peat I was looking for, but it was less integrated, with none of the harmony of flavors the Talisker had. It was complex enough, with many different tastes and smells to enjoy, but it didn't please the palate (at least my palate) like the Talsiker did, and the low ABV (40%) didn't help it at all! As I later learned, at this price range the younger 10 year olds from Ardbeg and Laphroaig are much more enjoyable! Coming back to this one again hasn't changed that opinion. I would recommend both of the aforementioned 10 year olds, over Bowmore 12, as a proper introduction to Islay's peated whiskies. Don't completely discount Bowmore though! More recently, I've tried other expressions in the Bowmore Range, with much better results!

Note: Both of the examples of Bowmore 12 I've tried, were pre Rachel Barrie taking over as Master Distiller. Now that she has had some time to oversee Bowmore's operation, this part of the Bowmore range might have improved from the two older bottlings I've tasted. When I see a bottle with the new packaging, I'll have to try this expression again.

Nose:Pretty standard ex-Bourbon cask honey, a lemony citrus, and bonfire smoke.

Taste: Smokey peat, baked apple, a little salty bite, then some allspice, pineapple and dark chocolate. 

Finish: The finish is long, with the chocolate and peat lingering.

My Personal Ranking: 80/100

The Passing of Elmer T. Lee

A true whiskey innovator has passed! Rest in peace Mr. Lee.

Official statement from The Buffalo Trace Distillery:

Dear Friends,

It is with a very heavy heart that I share with you that our beloved Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee, 93, passed away July 16, 2013 after a short illness.

In the world of making really fine whiskey the role of Master Distiller is pivotal, but Elmer’s meaning to those he met, came to know, and worked with closely extended far beyond that of a Master Distiller. Elmer defined, in the simplest terms, what it means to be a great American – hard working, self-made, courageous, honest, kind, humble, and humorous.

Elmer was born in 1919 on a tobacco farm near Peaks Mill in Franklin County, Ky. He graduated from Frankfort County High School in 1936 and worked for Jarman Shoe Company until December 1941. He then served with the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II as a radar bombardier on a B-29. After flying missions against Japan through 1945, Elmer was honorably discharged in January 1946. He returned home and studied engineering at the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with honors in 1949.

In September 1949 Elmer began working in the engineering department of the George T. Stagg Distillery in Frankfort. In 1966, Elmer was promoted to plant superintendent, responsible for all plant operations and reporting to the plant manager. 1n 1969, he became plant manager.

But it was in 1984 that Elmer’s contribution to the bourbon industry gained him the most notoriety, when he introduced Blanton’s, the world’s first Single Barrel Bourbon.  Elmer retired in 1985 but continued to serve as an ambassador for Buffalo Trace, and in 1986 he was honored with his very own single barrel bourbon, Elmer T. Lee. Of course, for those of us who knew Elmer, he never really retired. Every Tuesday we could see Elmer making his rounds at the Distillery in his trademark cap, signing bottles, posters, and other memorabilia at the Gift Shop, visiting his friends in Blanton’s Bottling Hall, and tasting bourbons (for quality control purposes!) in the lab.

Elmer was always ready to offer advice, and was a wealth of information that many of us relied on, myself included. Harlen Wheatley would inquire with Elmer when stuck on a mechanical problem, and any historical questions about the Distillery always went to Elmer, who, with his razor sharp memory, could invariably answer.  To all of us, Elmer was a friend, a mentor, and a trusted advisor.

Elmer was known through the bourbon industry for his expertise and knowledge about bourbon whiskey and he received numerous awards and recognition, including induction into the Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2001, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Whisky Advocate in 2002, and the Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame induction from Whisky Magazine in 2012.

We have lost a wonderful friend today, and he will be missed terribly. 

Services for Elmer T. Lee are pending and will be announced shortly.

Sincerely, Mark Brown

http://www.kybourbon.com/index.php/statement_regarding_the_passing_of_elmer_t._lee