Lying Low in High Season

Work's been pretty crazy since the summer break, and that has killed off many of the opportunities to go trying new whiskies. That's quite a downer. The upside is, my backlog will not be piling up as quickly, giving me some time to clear stuff...

And, without further ado, 2 whiskies today. A lowlander, the Glenkinchie 12, and a rare (and weird) Bowmore.

Glenkinchie 12 (abv 40%)

Colour - Colouring added, so you know what to expect.

Nose - Mm. Slightly floral, but not overly so. Digestive biscuits. A little jam...strawberry jam? Fig jam? Yea, those are quire different. Citrusy, basically. Some vanilla, but not very big.

Palate - A little malty, some oak and pencil shavings. Some oatmeal biscuits this time. Sweet on brown sugar.

Finish - Fairly short...a little spice from the wood, some oak tannin, and a little drying...maybe the colouring speaking here...

Overall - This was the first whisky in the tasting session I conducted (I'm not noob, not the audience). Good whisky to start a tasting session with - light, uncomplicated, but definitely on the pleasant side without entirely slipping into being nondescript.

Bowmore 8 years 'The Octave' by Duncan Taylor (abv 46%)

This, is what it looks like.

Nose - Strong whiffs of paraffin and perfume. Oopsies. Was this from one of Bowmore's weird years? Some oak, and a bit of smoke...that'll be smoked seaweed, I think. A little tingly on the nose too.

Palate - Mm. I don't like this very much. Characteristic Bowmore smoke, yes. But, the paraffin notes get a bit soapy here. A little floral and perfumed. Pencil shavings. Slightly savoury, like...fish. Cured fish. Mm. Not my favourite.

Finish - Not very long, but oaky, slightly spicy, oily.

Overall - Hmm. Not my favourite Bowmore ever. But, it was $70 at La Maison's sale, so...I guess you get what you pay for?

Anyhows, odd tasting notes at the back of the bottle. "Before" and "after" referring to...before and after the re-casking/finishing? Not the most conventional way, but I guess if you're selling the series on its recasking, that's one way to do things...