Bowmore 1988 / Bot.2017 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Clara Johansson — Lovely but hard to justify the price

7/10

Look, this is a genuinely excellent whisky. Honey, gentle smoke, maritime salinity, long warm finish. But £900 is a lot of money and I've had younger Bowmores that got me 80% of the way there for a quarter of the price. If someone else is pouring, absolutely — but I probably wouldn't buy another bottle myself.

Gianluca Ferro — Elegant old Bowmore

8/10

Had a dram of this at a whisky bar before committing to a bottle. It's refined Islay — the peat is there but it's wrapped in dark chocolate and stewed stone fruits. Thirty years in cask has smoothed everything out beautifully. I drink it neat and just slowly, because at £900 every sip counts.

Priya Sharma — Elegant old Bowmore

8/10

Had a dram of this at a whisky bar before committing to a bottle. It's refined Islay — the peat is there but it's wrapped in dark chocolate and stewed stone fruits. Thirty years in cask has smoothed everything out beautifully. I drink it neat and just slowly, because at £900 every sip counts.