New Release: Bowmore 10 Year Old Tempest Official Batch 5

I thought this bottle well represents both the good and bad aspects of Bowmore's character since the 2000s. Bowmore BOWMORE 10yo OB TEMPEST BATCH 5 55.9% FIRST FILL BOURBON CASK The aroma features passion fruit-like tropical fruits, pineapple, banana, vanilla, a mineral-like seaside quality, and peat with hints of iodine. Upon drinking, it has a smooth mouthfeel for its alcohol content, with the same passion fruit-like tropical fruits as the aroma. There's a slight paper-like texture and grainy quality, with a light sweetness, oak, and a grassy bitterness. The body is lighter than expected for its alcohol strength. 【Okay/Good】 This is the latest Batch 5 of Bowmore Tempest, recently released. Tempest, aged in first-fill bourbon casks for 10 years, has given the impression that later batches become lighter and more paper-like compared to earlier ones. Regarding this latest Batch 5, the aroma immediately presents clear tropical fruits like passion fruit and pineapple, typical of recent Bowmore expressions. The bourbon cask characteristics like vanilla, the Islay-like seaside notes, iodine, and peat were all pleasant. When drinking, it left a slightly light impression for its alcohol strength, with the tropical fruits from the aroma still present. However, I felt a slight paper-like texture and grainy quality, along with some bitterness. As was the case with small batches, I think recent official Bowmore releases, especially those distilled after 2000, often exhibit these traits. Comparing the 1990s and post-2000 distillates, I often notice common characteristics in the latter: weaker grapefruit notes, a paper-like texture, and lighter body. Of course, there are exceptions where barrels with no such flaws are encountered, and I've introduced them multiple times. However, considering that the official Tempest cask strength has consistently shown this pattern recently, I think it's fair to say that these types of barrels are more common. Personally, I found this batch disappointing, but since it's a distillery I enjoy, I'm looking forward to seeing how Batch 6 turns out.