Whisky Review: Bowmore Aston Martin Master's Selection 22-Year Scotch

Nose

Brad: The nose on this is absolutely gorgeous. I’m picking up pine cones and citrus—mostly grapefruit—and there’s honey and this light saline note. The peat is subtle, which makes it accessible, and the longer I sit with it, the more I get a lovely, fresh vanilla note. It’s a definite 9.5/10 for me.

Bob: Couldn’t agree more. You nailed it with the notes here, Brad. There’s something so welcoming about this nose. It’s got everything we love in Highland Scotch, but with a gentle layer of peat to keep it grounded in Islay. Honestly, this feels like a perfect gateway into peated Scotch. I’m also at a 9.5/10.

Taste

Brad: The word that comes to mind for me is ‘idyllic.’ This has the honeyed, nutty warmth of roasted almonds, a touch of cigar smoke, and some orange peel that keeps it fresh. And as I kept sipping, I picked up a hint of grape sweetness, which rounds it out beautifully. This scotch is so refined that I’d call it a perfect expression of what Scotch can be. It’s a 10/10 for me.

Bob: Man, you’re on fire with the tasting notes today. That cigar smoke hits you right up front. Then, when you mentioned orange peel, I realized I was getting a bright orange zest too, which transitions to more of a grapefruit note toward the back. The peat finally shows up on the finish, but it’s balanced—there’s no overpowering medicinal quality. It’s like they dialed it in to the perfect level of peat. For a whiskey this complex, I’m giving it a 10/10.

Finish

Brad: The finish brings a touch of rosehip, which adds this autumnal, leafy herbiness that I love. The saline carries through, and then you get a meaty, almost prosciutto-like note. The cigar smoke lingers, too, landing perfectly in the peaty range, which complements everything. I’m at a 9.5/10 here.

Bob: For me, the finish on the first sip was great, but on the second sip, it turned just slightly bitter. I think it’s those herbal notes that come in toward the end—they add depth but also bring a touch of bitterness. Still, it’s an impressive finish. I’m giving it a 9/10.

Balance

Brad: I think balance might be where this Scotch shines the brightest. It’s incredibly complex but nothing feels out of place, and every note is layered perfectly. When we talk about balance in a luxury whiskey, this is the gold standard. For me, it’s a 10/10.

Bob: I was so close to giving it a 10 here, too. But I keep coming back to that slight bitterness on the finish. It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, but it’s enough to bring me down to a 9.5/10. Still, this is exceptional balance.

Value

Brad: For a luxury whiskey in the $350 to $500 range, I feel like this justifies the price. The flavors, complexity, and overall experience make it a high-value bottle. I’m giving it a 9/10.

Bob: I’ve seen this particular release (batch two) going for anywhere from $450 to $650. Honestly, if I had the cash, I’d seriously consider picking this up over doing something ‘responsible’ like fixing up the house. This is the rare case where I’d actually invest in a luxury bottle. 9/10 on value.

Final Scores

Bob: I’m at a 47/50, which is one of my highest scores ever on this podcast.

Brad: I’m even higher with a 48/50.

Our combined average for Bowmore Aston Martin Master’s Selection 22-Year-Old comes to 47.5/50 or 95/100, making it our highest-rated whiskey to date. Generally, anything over 35/50 is a good try at a bar, while 40/50 means we’d recommend buying it. With this exceptional 47.5, it’s a serious contender for any collector or Islay fan.

The Bowmore Aston Martin Master’s Selection 22-Year proves that luxury whiskey can deliver on the promise of complexity and elegance, and we’d say it’s a true gem worth seeking out.