Bowmore, an Scotland-based distillery owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers, has come up with a new Bowmore Water Program that makes trade and consumers understand what happens when water is added to whiskey.
According to Morrison Bowmore Distillers master blender Rachel Barrie, the addition of water to whiskey results in some physiochemical changes like development of viscimetric whorl, increase in temperature of the drink by two degrees Celsius and release of more volatile aromas.
The addition of water also affects the taste, as it creates a cooling effect with salty and fruity tastes on the tongue.
Barrie said, "The spirit takes the drinker on a sensory adventure through sweetness and ocean spices with multiple layers of fruit and smoke. Adding water allows the drinker to unlock Bowmore's waves of flavor on a journey through its creation."
As part of the program, Barrie has also developed two tasting notes for Bowmore 12yo, when consumed neat and when added with one part water to two parts whiskey.
Bowmore 12yo neat possesses honey, toffee and lemon smell with tastes of honey, lemon and Islay peat; while Bowmore 12yo with water carries smell of fresh citrus, sea-salt, vanilla, almond and orange, and tastes of peach, pineapple, lemon cream, brine and anise, with hints of mint.
To support the program, the distillery has also produced a number of Bowmore pieces such as The Tilter and The Water Safe for bars and whisky shops.
