Whiskybase

Bowmore Enigma

Overall rating
81.77/100
votes
610
Whiskybase ID
WB4343
Category
Single Malt
Distillery
Bottler
Distillery Bottling
Bottled
2007
Stated Age
12 years old
Casktype
Sherry Cask
Strength
40.0 % Vol.
Size
1000 ml
Barcode
5010496000694
Added on
04 nov 2008 4:34 pm
ColoredChillfiltered
Bowmore Enigma
Photo by Bachess
Bowmore Enigma
Photo by Nidan
Bowmore Enigma
Photo by Nidan
Bowmore Enigma
Photo by Nidan
Bowmore Enigma
Photo by Nidan
Bowmore Enigma
Photo by Nidan

Average value

€ 111.39

Found 2 online shops. Lowest price:

€ 80.00
jp Mukawa Spirit Store ￥ 13980.00
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610 × member ratings

2003 × in collection

Whisky Reviews for Bowmore Enigma

57 users have left a review for this whisky and scored it an average of 81.77 points

  1. LeChiffre scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      86 86
      subtle smoke; mineral-earthy; light fruitiness of red fruits and citrus notes; Chocolate; delicate spice
    • Taste
      85 85
      delicate start but not too watery for 40%; fine smoky note; sour-fruity notes; mineral-earthy; salty; a pinch of pepper; dark chocolate; some oak
    • Finish
      86 86
      pleasantly peppery-spicy; delicate fruit notes; dark chocolate; delicate smoke; oak seasoning

  2. Marko_I did not rate this whisky Connoisseur

    Compared to the normal 12er Enigma is a little less elegant, but sweeter, milder, a bit earthier. With 30-35 € / liter in his time had an unbeatable value for money and if you still get it somewhere today, I would find 60 € not over the top, so delicious it is always.
    • Nose
      smoky-sweet, chocolate, earth, warm, moist hay, plus a light fresh breeze with salt and lemon
    • Taste
      smoky, bittersweet grape nut chocolate with salt & pepper (mild), very tasty
    • Finish
      medium to long, cocoa, salt, pepper, smoke remains quite a long time with a slight blackberry and licorice note

  3. ThinLizzy scored this whisky 84 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      83 83

  4. Whisky Hamster scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    Stunningly good and flavorful despite 40% abv when compared in a blind with the current 12 yo. I guess sometimes you just have to experience the decrease in quality to see how good "mediocre" malts of the past really were....

  5. whiskyinstitut scored this whisky 86 points Connoisseur

    The nose is terrific, after which it steadily falls off. Still tastes very good and is mega exciting through the nose.
    • Nose
      90 90
      Subtle and perfectly integrated smoke, sweetened strawberries, asphalt, citrus peel, pink grapefruit
    • Taste
      86 86
      Delicate start, creamy, fine smoke, citrus rasp, pleasant oak flavor, the strawberries come back with a bit of acidity, no dryness, the 40% is absolutely sufficient
    • Finish
      83 83
      Typical drinking strength - a little too short, the smoke remains ashy and oak-tinged, lemon peel

  6. Tom na Gruagaich scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    Light cigarilio, heavy sherry, bittersweet. A soft, heavy whisky that is very drinkable.

  7. whiskyd scored this whisky 82 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      82 82
    • Finish
      80 80

  8. Mannheimer scored this whisky 78 points Expert Junior

    Although the sherry share is slightly higher than the regular 12-year-old, it does not taste much better, even much worse. Indicates that a plethora of E150 has been dumped.
    Too watery on the palate, leaves the impression as if it had matured in a sponge barrel. Bowmore got lost completely here. Fortunately I only bought it for 35.90 € in 2014.
    • Nose
      Musty sherry, rancid smoke and sponge.
    • Taste
      Extremely watery, sherry and smoke do not play together, wet wood and a hint of milk chocolate and ripeness.
    • Finish
      Shortly (luckily),

  9. Fight65 scored this whisky 82 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      83 83
    • Taste
      82 82
    • Finish
      82 82

  10. Svenson scored this whisky 83 points Member Senior

    Whiskydream.de writes:

    Bowmore 12 years Enigma In terms of color, the Enigma is a bit darker (according to distillery description "deep bronze") than the Bowmore 12 in the glass, which may be due to the higher sherry barrel portion.
    The sherry is also the first controlling aroma in the nose. Connected with flowery-sweet notes (heather) and later added maritime (salty) flavors and some smoke a quite successful beginning of tasting. (84)
    In the mouth, salty-sweet flavors continue, well integrated are some pepper and smoke. Furthermore malt, heather, hay. Overall, round and quite complex with medium sharpness (slightly less than Bowmore 12). (82)
    The warming finish is of medium length in the throat, while in the mouth linger very long tingling oak and slight sweetness. (82)
    Overall rating: 83 points More info: http://whiskydream-de.webnode.com/tastings-az/b/

  11. steinrich scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      80 80
    • Finish
      83 83

  12. Laga93 scored this whisky 83 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      81 81

  13. Patrick93 scored this whisky 83 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      82 82
    • Finish
      82 82

  14. mer1973 scored this whisky 81 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      79 79
    • Taste
      82 82
    • Finish
      81 81

  15. aw-home scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      90 90
    • Finish
      88 88

  16. AH Whiskyvitrine scored this whisky 83 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      84 84

  17. maltaholic scored this whisky 76 points Connoisseur

    As soon as the bottle is up, the smoke rises in the nose, very aromatic, relatively intense, paired with a fruity sherry note. A first sip betrays the young age, he is alcoholic, burning. The taste of sherry, but it looks out of place, the burning continues.

  18. Landryn scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      84 84

  19. Archer scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      85 85

  20. whiskeyjedi scored this whisky 75 points Member Senior

    Bowmore 12 Enigma
    Tasted 2015-07-31 @ Orange, Bremen:
    N rotten, slightly wet wood, slightly sweetish
    G voluminous, clear barrel, very old or well-matured, moderate smoke with dry, sharp finish incl. Approach of raisins
    75

  21. sbosse scored this whisky 85 points Expert Junior

    • Nose
      86 86
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      84 84

  22. vb_bembel scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      80 80
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      81 81

  23. Laugenbretzel scored this whisky 85 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      82 82
    • Finish
      87 87

  24. Cicero did not rate this whisky Expert Senior

    A successful combination of spice and sherry / sweetness. The soft smoke gives the malt extra depth
    • Nose
      Smoke and sherry, red fruits, sea (including salt, algae and what belongs to it), the smoke can be relatively well hide and beats over into spice and docks. Ham and hints of dried fruits.
    • Taste
      the smoke is back, not too strong, spicy, but at the same time a nice non-intrusive sweetness. On the second sip, the sherry keg becomes more apparent and the campfire burns to ashes.

  25. st7 scored this whisky 83 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      82 82
    • Finish
      80 80

  26. Whiskykoch scored this whisky 82 points Member Senior

    • Nose
      91 91
    • Taste
      80 80
    • Finish
      81 81

  27. Wolv scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      87 87
    • Finish
      87 87

  28. Ana Chronist scored this whisky 88 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      87 87

  29. Whiskyforfreedom did not rate this whisky Member Senior

    Typical Islay.
    • Nose
      Campfire or charcoal grill, pleasantly spicy. Sherry.
    • Taste
      Spicy and intense. Sherry flavors. Honey. Salt.
    • Finish
      Long-lasting.

  30. Gearmailteach scored this whisky 83 points Expert Senior

    The nose is much nicer than the mouth. Nevertheless, a round and well-balanced Bowmore.
    • Nose
      Pleasant campfire smoke opens the nose. Right behind it are summer fruits and dark berries. Sherry fruitiness, caramel and warm vanilla. In the background there are floral sounds (violets?) And honey sauce.
    • Taste
      Cold smoke, again sherry fruit, flower meadow and vanilla. A bit of spice and saltiness, followed by citrus flavors. Overall quite light (almost watery) in the mouth.
    • Finish
      Medium length, salt liquorice, warm smoke and dark chocolate.

  31. notesofmalt scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

    Bowmore Enigma - 12 years, original bottling, 40% alc.
    Region: Islay, Scotland

    Nose: Smoky and foral, slightly soapy and somehow burnt rubber. With creamy honey and unspecified fruits. Natural yoghurt and maybe citrus fruits.
    ...
    Palate: Strong, despite the 40%. The fruit is squeezed away by burnt flavors. Pretty bitter the whole thing.

    Finish: Medium long and pleasant, with beautiful peat notes and spice.

    Conclusion: Nose getting used to and quite flowery to chemical. The palate has disappointed me, the finish is successful.

    81/100 points (tasted 2013, approx. 35 €) posted on my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/notesofwhisky

  32. Safran scored this whisky 86 points Member Senior

    I like sherried smoke character. Good balance and price/quality ratio. Like this more than regular 12 YO. http://www.whisky-bros.lt/lt/bowmore-12-year-old-enigma
    • Nose
      Gentle peat, orange peel (orange jam maybe). Some hints of spice herbs. Sweetish sherry tones comes first, than some more smoke appears.
    • Taste
      Bit salty smoke becomes more sweet with sherry notes. Sweet almonds with pepper, marmelade (figs, oranges).
    • Finish
      Pleasant with sweet tones of smoke and almonds, with hints of salt.

  33. Myst111 scored this whisky 86 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      83 83
    • Taste
      85 85
    • Finish
      86 86

  34. GlenGabriel scored this whisky 83 points Expert Junior

    • Nose
      83 83
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      82 82

  35. kulideli scored this whisky 81 points Expert Junior

    Aroma: smoke, iodine, sea, sherry, "paper mill", tan, cream liqueur, toffee, citrus, sweetness, a hint of strawberry canned, sulphurous, oranges, tangerines;

    Taste: smoke, really sweet, fruit, sherry, chewing gum, oranges, paper (or so);

    Finish: Pretty long with smoke and sweet gushes, chocolate, nutty!
    Conclusion: a "moderate" Islay, but clearly vd island!

  36. schalieke scored this whisky 85 points Member Senior

    • Nose
      83 83
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      87 87

  37. nathanyael scored this whisky 83 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      84 84

  38. mister glenfarclas scored this whisky 81 points Connoisseur

    Nice whisky for beginners and those who want to start easy on peated malts. Smooth combination of peat and sherry, not too demanding.Unbeatable price!
    • Nose
      80 80
    • Taste
      79 79
    • Finish
      82 82

  39. leif79 scored this whisky 82 points Member Junior

    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      82 82

  40. granella2003 scored this whisky 91 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      92 92
    • Finish
      93 93

  41. Abydoss scored this whisky 81 points Member Senior

    Pleasantly balanced, round and harmonious. Not the blast to my liking, but gundsolide.
    • Nose
      Mild smoke paired with sherry nuts. Wonderfully harmonious. A touch of honey in the background. A little phenolic (medical) and slight oak notes. A hint of hazelnut paired with sweet milk chocolate.
    • Taste
      Intense, roasted hazelnut and caramel. Fruity sherry sweets. Finally a touch of chocolate. And of course the mild smoke here too.
    • Finish
      Long, smoky and a little dry. In addition to the smoke, especially the hazelnut notes and a hint of sweet malt remain.

  42. Koning scored this whisky 83 points Expert Senior

    I rate this 12 year old Enigma slightly higher than the regular Bowmore 12. Even more, a litre bottle Enigma costs about the same as a 70cl bottle of Bowmore 12!
    • Nose
      Gentle and sweet peat, sea spray, hint of lemons. Adding water reveals some musty dough-like aromas (both in the nose and palate) that I find typical for Bowmore whiskies.
    • Taste
      Sherry sweetness and a bit salty and smokey, very well balanced. Also some slight bitterness or tannins.
    • Finish
      Gentle smoke and salt, followed by a fresh and juicy mouth feel, noticeably citrus fruits.

  43. Angelos scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    A good one if you are on the way to Islay ;) !
    • Nose
      Typical Bowmore peat. Just as if you were sitting next to a campfire. Some fruits but not easy to defne. Something between citrus and oranges
    • Taste
      Aromatic Peat! Obvious caramel. Some fruitiness, maybe ripe oranges, some hints of the darker ones (some plums and blackberries maybe) ,magnificent sweetness, hints of cinnamon
    • Finish
      Quite long and warming! Sweetness turns to something you would estimate as milk chocolate! Peat decreases!

  44. WillemvdK scored this whisky 80 points Expert Senior

    Excellent variation of the standard 12yo Bowmore
    • Nose
      Citrus, raisins and the trademark gunpowdery peat of Bowmore
    • Taste
      Very sweet arrival of raisins and butterscotch, swiftly turning quite dry and smokey after which a nice sugary sweetness returns and lingers.
    • Finish
      Long, smokey

  45. Furtia scored this whisky 82 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      81 81
    • Finish
      82 82

  46. granella2003 scored this whisky 91 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      Sweet mix of caramel, peat, salt, sherry and honey. Light tones of orange liqueur, oak and burnt rubber
    • Taste
      A sweet sherry flavor that is followed by a robust smoke flavor with hints of fresh lemon
    • Finish
      A long finish of peat with a hint of lime that the foregoing sweet flavor nicely balances

  47. granella2003 scored this whisky 91 points Connoisseur

    Initially intended for sale in the travel industry but because success now made ​​available to everyone, has a higher dose of sherry than the original Bowmore 12 Year what`m darker in color and sweeter in flavor makes. This in stock markets back into balance by the robust smoke flavor and subtle undertones of citrus.

  48. HunterRomario scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    Stylishly reminds me of the BenRiach 15th Solstice, which goes even further in gravity and gravity. In a blind test, I'd rather port a sherry than a sherry. This is good whisky, and due to its price a lot of good buying.
    • Nose
      Medium-skinny, sweetish peat, with over-ripe fruit and light flesh, chocolate added. (85 b)
    • Taste
      The flavor corresponds to the aroma, fruity peat, with the touch of wood, but the sweetness is less than the aroma. At the end, slightly pepper. (83 b)

  49. Dramnation scored this whisky 80 points Member Junior

    • Nose
      Lovely sweet sherry aromas with salty tones, peat and heath flowers (lavender)
    • Taste
      The sweet sherry complements the medium-light peat. No very complex but a great malt to enjoy on a rainy stormy autumn evening.
    • Finish
      Stimulating, medium-long, the sweetness and peat linger on the tongue.

  50. Edwin de Lange scored this whisky 91 points Expert Senior

    One of my first malts, in this one i first noticed peat smoke.

  51. torf-alk scored this whisky 82 points Expert Senior

    The sherry share is higher than the other Bowmore, so the Enigma is a little sweeter. Delicious!!
    • Nose
      The classic Bowmore smoke is filled with sweet sherry notes and hints of speckled honey.
    • Taste
      Initially sweet sherry aromas are replaced by a more robust smokiness with a hint of fresh lemons.
    • Finish
      A nice round end, balanced between a slight saltiness and warm sweet peat smoke.

  52. Ruud6421 scored this whisky 78 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      At first smoky and sweet. Later more fruity, pear.
    • Taste
      Taste is a bit light. Sweet with just a hint of smoke.
    • Finish
      Finish is mid long. Gets more sour in the end. Hints of citrus?

  53. christophe_carles scored this whisky 84 points Expert Junior

    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      84 84
    • Finish
      84 84

  54. alectron scored this whisky 82 points Connoisseur

    This is a funny one...

    Bought one duty free, then opened it with a friend in Europe, and both of us weren`t impressed and I marked it with a low 70s score.

    So the bottle then was only opened occasionally for a small dram and around +15 months later, we dug this out of his shelf again. And lo and behold, this has gotten some nice complexity & sherry/peat/marshmellow balance and it went into the upper 80s for me personally.

    Bummer you can`t flick a switch on for this, but I meant to experiment around with this should I come across a freshly opened bottle again and leave a dram out for multiple hours and see if you can encourage it to get better.

  55. Lafroy scored this whisky 70 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      Rather flat and poor. You can find notes of peat and fruits with influence of sherry, glues and cherries, but it´s too immature with strong spirit and sense of cheap blended whisky.
    • Taste
      The taste is light smoky with hints of light chocolate and fruits. Additionally, some notes of dryness and alcohol, some oak, some smoked bacon, notes of sherry, but covered with a cheap alcohol.
    • Finish
      Medium long with some sweetness, smoke and peat, but the quality of it rather low and boring.

  56. barto scored this whisky 79 points Member Junior

    • Nose
      Smoke, seaweed, some sherry sweetness, dark chocolate.
    • Taste
      Quite thin and clean, some sherry, smoke, honey, maritime flavours, no peatiness.
    • Finish
      Dark chocolate at the fore then smoke that builds up. Long

  57. icon_of_sin scored this whisky 84 points Member Senior

    Nose, Taste and Body are really great, but the flat finish costs the Enigma then the top placement in my ranking. But nevertheless an absolutely delicious and above all mild representative of the Islay faction.
    • Nose
      First, slightly tingling peat smoke pours into the nose, followed by complex sherry flavors. It is accompanied by a rich and creamy honey and some caramel and vanilla. At the end comes a slightly floral aroma.
    • Taste
      First sweet with creamy vanilla, caramel, and honey flavors. This is followed by the complex, heavy sherry flavor and a pleasant smokiness.
    • Finish
      A bit short and flat. And only mildly warming. Leaves a slightly unpleasant, peaty bitterness on the palate.

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