Bowmore 12 vs 15 vs 18: Whisky Comparison

Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:38 am

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

Explore the distinctions among Bowmore 12, 15, and 18 in this comparison to find your ideal Bowmore!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Written by: J Highland

Which Bowmore is Best?

Bowmore 12: Smoky, with a mix of pineapple and orange on the nose. Palate blends ripe fruit, honey, and vanilla with Islay’s signature peat smoke. Short finish with a smoky touch. Best served with water. A solid introduction to Islay whiskies.

Bowmore 15: Aroma of ripe fruit and earth, combined with raisin sweetness. Taste melds raisin jam, smoke, and brine, ending with a smoky, sherry-infused finish. Ideal with water for a balanced Islay and sherry experience.

Bowmore 18: Begins with peat and sherry, followed by red fruits and chocolate on the palate. Finish is peaty with sherry and oak spice. Served best with water. A mellow, well-rounded Islay malt with a subtle sherry influence.

Verdict: Bowmore 12, 15, and 18 each offer unique expressions of Islay’s peat and smoke, enriched with fruit, honey, and sherry notes. Their complexity and approachability shine when enjoyed with a splash of water, catering to a range of whisky enthusiasts, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Related: Premium Islay Single Malts

Bowmore 12: The Introductory Whisky to Islay

Nose: Smoke, pineapple, orange
Palate: Ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, iodine
Finish: Short, smoke, mineral, charred oak
Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Similar to: Laphroaig 10

Bowmore 12 offers a smoky introduction to Islay, perfect for those who prefer a subtler peat presence.

The aroma is bold with smoke, balanced by surprising fruity hints. The taste features ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, and a touch of Islay smoke, leading to a short, smoky finish.

While a higher ABV and longer finish would be improvements, Bowmore 12 remains a good, approachable option for exploring peaty whiskies.

Note: This expression uses artificial coloring, common in the industry.

Bowmore 15: Smoky Delight with Sherry Influence

Nose: Ripe fruit, earth, oak, raisins, peat
Palate: Raisin jam, smoke, oak, brine
Finish: Smoke, salt, sherry
Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Similar to: Johnnie Walker Green Label

Bowmore 15 offers a balanced Islay experience. The aroma is rich with fruit, earth, smoke, and raisin sweetness. The taste features raisin jam, smoke, sea salt, and oak, with a lingering smoky finish. Adding water enhances the experience.

This peaty dram with subtle sherry notes is more approachable than the 12 YO but smokier than the 18 YO. It’s a good value for the price, making it a solid choice for those new to smoky and sherried whiskies.

Note: This expression uses artificial coloring, common in the industry but worth mentioning.

Bowmore 18: Balanced Islay Malt with Sherry Influence

Nose: Peat, sherry, orange, ripe fruit
Palate: Red fruits, chocolate, tobacco, oak spice
Finish: Rubber, peat, sherry, oak spice
Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Similar to: Highland Park 18

Bowmore 18 opens with hints of peat, sherry, citrus, and ripe fruit. The palate showcases red fruits, chocolate, tobacco, and a touch of smoke, balanced by sherry. The finish is smooth with lingering peat, sherry, and oak spice.

This mellow Islay single malt offers a pleasant experience for those who enjoy mild peat and subtle sherry notes. Adding water enhances its complexity.