Islay region – 53.4%ABV – 700ml bottle – Master of Malt exclusive bottling, only 195 bottles – £100

My day… actually, the past few days for me have be rough.  For this reason to that one, just a lot going on and not enough room in my head to think about it all.  This is not a diary blog for me.  This is a whisk(e)y blog so I’m not going to pour my heart out because, you probably don’t give a rat’s ass.  What you do care about is whisk(e)y and I can dig that.  Shall I move on then?  Yes.

Sitting at home, I have an arsenal of 16 whisky samples – it’s like heaven to me.  Check it:

With so much to choose from, I just did not know where to start.  I think I stood in front of my sample stash for about 25 minutes before I made my decision.  My decision to choose the Master of Malt 26yr Bowmore was partially based on the fact that the only Bowmore I’ve ever had was their 12yr expression and I just did not like it (that review to come – sorry Bowmore folks).  I wanted to try something else by Bowmore and I **LOVE** the Master of Malt 19yr Tomatin (that review can be found here).  The other reason is that I’ve got a serious case of spring fever (like you would not believe) and the reviews I’ve read on this expression reminded me of spring or the flavors I’d like to taste in a spring-time malt.

On the nose – You’d never know this was 53.4% Alcohol By Volume.  It’s very easy to nose, and what a strange nose it is!  Soapy and quite flowery, perfect for this time of year.  Very much like Spider Mums (near exact).  Powdered sugar cookies and nail polish.  Really tough getting past that flowery smell though, quite lovely.  Reading the review of this whisky in Guid Scotch Drink, Jason described a Parma Violets candy smell.  Being that the Parma Violets are a candy found in the UK, not the US, I have no idea what they are but, Jason does, click here to find out what they are.  Hint of smoke floating way in the back.

On the mouth – Pure sugary candies!!  Holy $hit!  No need to add water at all – it’s at the perfect strength.  Pez, Cherry Pez, more soap (kids no-tear fruity soap). Fun Dip and Pixie Stix.  Is this whisky?  Yes?  Really??  If R.J. Reynolds came out with this product, they’d be in court in no time flat as people would say it’s too candy-like, “you MUST be marketing to kids”.  Thin mouth feel but coating somehow – like the fluid itself is sugar based.  Powdered sugar.

Finish — Long and fruity, like Beech-Nut gum (fruity like the gum, not the length of flavor as Beech-Nut gums lose their flavor right quick!)

In sum — I read review after review about how fruity this stuff was and I just did not expect it to really be as fruity as it was, and, so amazingly like kids candies it really was.  This is not an every day dram for sure.  For me, I can have this once per year or so…  It’s unique, it’s super cool and complex.  The balance is great and I love the flowery nose.  I just couldn’t see myself reaching for this all the time.

A BIG thank you to JJY for the sample!