Whisky Forum - Thoughts on Bowmore Enigma?

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

As mentioned in my first thread I have a bottle of Bowmore Enigma (bought at a great price at Athens airport), and was wondering what seasoned whisky drinkers thought of it. Personally, I found it immediately made a good impression - I love the combination of sherry sweetness and peaty smoke. It's strong without being too aggressive. The only downside is that on some occasions I seem to detect a certain bitter aftertaste, but that could be more down to me than the drink itself.

Any other opinions?

JAB · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject:

not had a tatse of this in a while, when i tryed it the packaging was all black.
from what i can remember it was not to peaty but had a nice fruity sweetness.
i found that it could be a little bitter (burnt caramel, liquorice)
Overall very nice 8/10

JAB · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:40 pm Post subject:

this is the one i tried

dont know if there will be any difference between this one and the new packaging both 12yo.

Calder · Master Of Malts Joined: 13 Nov 2008 Posts: 692

Brummie · Master Of Malts Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 662

It is sweeter than the standard 12 year old and has a lighter smokiness. Personally i would prefer the standard Bowmore 12 but the is Enigma is still a pleasant dram and as Calder says usually a good price in the duty free shops.

Kray · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:41 pm Post subject:

I have gotten through a couple of bottles of the Enigma, it has a lighter classic Bowmore smokiness mixed with sweet sherry and honey. I would rate it around 85/100

JAB · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 2:47 pm Post subject:

Any one tried bowmore 12yo bottled in the 80s the brown dumpy bottle?
whats your views on it if?? and how different if any is it the new current bowmore 12yo ??

Fergie · Master Of Malts Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 1753

Andy M · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 1220

Fergie, I would love to see what other little gems you have in your old notebooks. I have never got into keeping notes myself although i wish i had.

JAB · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject:

sounds like they need to go back to the 80s and try and recreate this one.
maybe they used different casks / malt / warehouses for these all can vary a differ the tates, nose.

Fergie · Master Of Malts Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Posts: 1753

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1669

I have actually had more of the Bowmore Enigma in the last couple of years than the standard Bowmore 12. Probably because as said you often find it on offer at airports and the standard 12 seems to have been replaced on supermarket shelves by the Bowmore Legend.

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

I had some again the other night with a friend alongside a Laphroaig, and it struck me that it was perhaps a bit unfair on the Bowmore as the difference was startling, especially on the nose. The Bowmore came across as a pleasant companion, but the Laphroaig really grabs your attention, almost as if it has a story to tell. Of course, not all whiskies should be as overwhelming as a Laphroaig, but I thought that maybe the Bowmore Enigma was neither here nor there: not strong enough to be among the 'heavyweights', and not light, sweet or pleasant enough to be a regular dram like the Speysider I'm looking to buy.

Or maybe that'll teach me to drink such different whiskies back-to-back!

Brummie · Master Of Malts Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 662

I would always tend to start with the lighter malts then finish with the big peat monsters such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin or Ardbeg. Never the other way round as i wouldnt get the full pleasure out of a light malt after a big Islay peated malt.

sc_NE · New Member Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 2

JAB, I have a bottle of the Bowmore 12yo dumpy for sale if you are interested. Details are in the 'Whiskies for sale' forum.
http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1180