Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 02:38 pm
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 distinctions between Bowmore 12 and Laphroaig 10 in this comprehensive analysis, and determine which Single Malt suits your taste better!
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
Bowmore vs Laphroaig: Comparison
- Bowmore 12: Provides a more approachable smoky profile with hints of pineapple and orange on the nose, and a palate of ripe fruit, honey, and vanilla. Suitable for those new to Islay whiskies, offering a balanced introduction to the region’s characteristic peat smoke.
- Laphroaig 10: Known for its bold smoky flavor with caramel, oak, and a long, sweet finish. Caters to seasoned whisky drinkers who seek intense peatiness and complexity in their dram.
- Verdict: Opt for Bowmore 12 if you’re exploring smoky whiskies with a preference for balance and subtlety. Laphroaig 10 is the choice for those who relish a robust, peat-forward experience and are ready for a more challenging and satisfying dram, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Top Islay Selections
Bowmore 12: A Gentle Introduction to Islay Smoke
- Nose: Smoke, pineapple, orange
- Palate: Ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, iodine
- Finish: Short, smoke, mineral, charred oak
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Dalmore 12
Aroma: Smoky notes from peated barley mingle with hints of pineapple and citrus.
Palate: Medium-bodied with a pleasing texture. Initial flavors of ripe fruit and honey give way to vanilla, a touch of Islay iodine, and subtle smoke.
Finish: Short, with lingering smoke, mineral notes, and charred oak influence from the bourbon barrels.
Subtle Smoke, Balanced Flavor: This Islay single malt offers a gentle introduction to peaty whiskies. Bowmore uses less peat than others, resulting in a balanced taste.
Considerations: Some might find it lacking complexity and prefer a higher proof (around 45% ABV). Despite the short finish, it’s a pleasant and smooth drinker.
Awards & History: Gold medal winner at the 2018 SF World Spirits Competition and Gold at the 2013 International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Uniquely Crafted: Bowmore remains one of the few distilleries that hand-turns, malts, and peats its barley, upholding tradition since 1779 – the oldest on Islay and the second oldest in Scotland.
Laphroaig 10: A Smoky Adventure for Whisky Enthusiasts
- Nose: Smoke, caramel, oak, coffee
- Palate: Charred oak, smoke, chocolate, honey, iodine
- Finish: Smoke, caramel
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Caol Ila 12
Aroma: Bold and smoky, with initial notes of burnt rubber and seaweed, followed by hints of smoke, caramel, oak, and coffee.
Palate: Powerful hit of smoke and charred oak, balanced by pleasant sweetness of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate.
Finish: Long and lingering, offering sweetness, mineral notes, and faint seaweed traces.
Thoughts: A bold and smoky whisky with a unique flavor profile that may not appeal to everyone. Its peaty character takes getting used to, but patience reveals its exceptional flavors.
For the aficionado: Laphroaig 10 is a top-rated single malt for those who appreciate peaty and smoky whiskies. It’s aged 10 years in bourbon and sherry casks, earning a gold medal at the 2019 SF World Spirits Competition and recognition as the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Years & Under in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Bowmore 12 | $63 |
| Laphroaig 10 | $64 |