This is the first in an annual series of 30-year-old Islay single malts from Bowmore, and comes from two casks matured in the distillery’s legendary No. 1 Vaults warehouse. The nose is sweet and fruity with notes of honey, peaches, a hint of red apples, grilled pineapple, butterscotch, and a kiss of smoke. The taste…wow! A spicy touch of white pepper comes on slowly behind notes of pineapple and mango, while a touch of peat lingers in the background along with a hint of eucalyptus cough lozenges. The finish is long and gentle with a touch of tree fruits and a kiss of smoke. Excellent! (February, 2021)