by 
Bowmore 12 Year Old Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at home, $70 (bottle).
Colour: Amber; a touch darker than the Bowmore Legend.
Nose: There’s a fair bit of smoke here as you would expect, but it’s not quite as raw or intense as the Legend.
Palate: It tastes a little like dusty bookshelves smell, if that makes sense. I haven’t personally tried to eat a dusty bookshelf, but the taste here is reminiscent of that smell. Earthy yet with plenty of soft smokey peat.
Finish: Smoother than the Legend and the finish seems a fraction shorter too. It’s still quite a long fade, especially the gentle heat.
Comments: The Bowmore 12 and Bowmore Legend are quite similar, but the 12 year old is a bit softer and well rounded; the Legend a little less refined.
Dusty bookshelves – you’re spot on. I’ve just written my notes for this as tasting ‘dusty’, and Googled to see if anyone had said similar. Really unimpressed by this one, and I’m hoping for better things from the 15 and 18-year-olds.
Glad you enjoyed it William. I haven’t tried the Bowmore 18 just yet, how was it?