This Kintra single cask is a 10 years old Bowmore bottled from a bourbon hogshead. There are just 60 bottles which suggests that it’s a shared cask, probably from the 800xxx series that we saw from Malts of Scotland, Berry Bros, Van Wees and others.

Bowmore 10 yo 2000
(52%, Kintra 2010, cask SC003, 60 btl.)

Nose: clean and youngish, pleasantly fruity with some apple and unripe citrus notes. Light vanilla. Reminds me of Kilchoman in a way, but a lot more gentle. After some breathing, it develops light peat and oysters. A hint of charcoal. Even though Bowmore is never heavy, this is really subtle. Mouth: firm and definitely more Islay-esque now, with peat, ashes and clear coastal notes. Good strength. Oysters and kippers. still some refreshing lemon. Hints of salty liquorice. Finish: medium length and quickly drying.

This is obviously faultless whisky, though maybe not at its optimum age yet. In a direct comparison with the Bowmore 2000 by Malts of Scotland, the Kintra comes out nicely clean and citric, while the MoS is more bourbonny and seductive. Both are very pleasant but relatively simple. Around € 45.

Score: 82/100