This Bowmore 1968 was served at the latest Fulldram supertasting. Bottled in 2006, I believe it was one of the last (if not the last) official 1968 bottlings.
Bowmore 37 yo 1968 (43,4%, OB 2006, bourbon oak, 708 btl.)
Bowmore 37 yo 1968 (43,4%, OB 2006, bourbon oak, 708 btl.)Nose: typical ‘68 fruit basket, albeit a little delicate, especially on tropical fruits. Passion fruit, pink grapefruit, tangerine, kumquat, kiwi… Very silky. Freshly crushed mint and a little eucalyptus oil as well. Rosehip. Cedar wood. Something of diesel oil in the background. Very nice to say the least.
Mouth: medium body, on grapefruit / kumquat to start with, then green banana and papaya. Fresh and slightly sourish, due to the citrus and the oak. Grows spicier (nutmeg, clove, pepper). Aniseed and mint again. Faint mineral notes too.
Finish: medium long, still very fruity but in a more zesty way, with oak growing stronger.
Lovely stuff, even though it plays only two cards: fruits and oak. In my memory the 1968 Anniversary Edition was slightly better. Rarely seen on the market, expect to pay around € 750 anyway.
Score: 92/100