Needs some advice on whether the return a bottle.

[Lt. Columbo]

I bought a bottle of Bowmore just under a couple of weeks ago and first tried it on the Friday before last. I'm a fairly seasoned whisky drinker. I've been drinking whisky for more than a decade now. I tend to prefer higher ABVs, usually around the 46% mark but it varies (of course) depending on the whisky. The reason I say that is that I want to make it clear that I'm not a newbie whose complaining about a bottle not being "smooth" just because it's got a bit of spirit to it, so to speak.

The bottle in question has an ABV of 43% but it's burn is harsher than any other whisky I've had (several cask strength bottles included). It reminds me of a terrible bottle of Poteen I had many years ago in that it's not so much that the burn is hot or particularity warming, it's that it's harsh and causes a heartburn like sensation all the way down my throat and to my stomach that I don't get from cask strength drams. The other thing that comes to mind is that the after-taste/sensation is reminiscent of the smell Isopropyl alcohol if that makes sense...

Luckily I was able to borrow a second bottle from a friend, albeit one that's newer... my bottle has a label design that was replaced several years ago. So I know my bottle is several years older than my friends bottle. The two bottles taste very similar to each other, it's just that my bottle is quickly dominated by the harsh, heartburn inducing burn that drowns out the taste.

It's also harsher on the nose.

Upon closer inspection, I've also noticed that the cork for my bottle isn't right. The tip that should be wet from contact with the whisky, is dry, rigid and easily marked with a fingernail. The rest of the body of the cork is soft and springy as it should be. The tip also has an ashy, white colouration. Judging by how dusty the top of the bottle was when it arrived, I'd guess that it's been sitting upright for quite a while.

So with all that said, does it sound like there's something actually wrong with my bottle that would warrant my requestion a replacement for the online retailer who sold it to me?... this isn't the sort of thing that I've had to deal with before, so I don't really know where I stand.
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Just one more thing, ma'am...

[opelfruit]

It's your bottle and your money to buy it, if you don't believe the product is right then send it back. You're protected by consumer rights and if you believe there is a defect/issue with the product then you have the right to return it.

It doesn't sound like you're being flippant; you've tried it, you've got experience and you've compared it to another similar bottle. I think it's fair to return it.


Whether you do return it or not, I'd certainly start by contacting the retailer with your views and see what they say first - most likely (if it's a main retailer) they'll offer a replacement.
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

[dramblersanonymous]

Hi Lt. Colombo. Just so you know, it's important that whisky bottles are always stored upright, when you lie them down the alcohol starts to draw the natural oils from the Cork and over time will make them dry and crumbly.

The bottle may have been stored on its side for some time, then stood up. This could mean that the cork has been able to dry out then oxidise more rapidly when stood back up. You can also get the effect you've mentioned if the bottle has been stored in direct sunlight for a reasonable amount of time. Perhaps it was in the shop window at some point?

Hope that is helpful! Obviously, wine is a completely different argument...

[Olorin]

Very interesting.. I agree with the other replies - I would send it back. Most likely the dodgey cork led to the seal being compromised and thus the oxidation.