.benromach - hermitage - 2005

An older, and more difficult to get hold of Benromach. First matured in first fill ex-Bourbon casks before she was finished for 27 Months in ex-Wine casks from the Hermitage region in the Northern Rhône area of France.

45% abv, €50

single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, vanilla, fruit, dried fruit, raisins, apricot, berries, gooseberries, bananas, spice, cinnamon, allspice, citrus, lime, grapefruit, mint, eucalyptus, a hint of brinyness

Palate: sweet, liquorice root, sweet berries, very ripe cherries, raspberries, spicy, black pepper - freshly ground, fruit, a hint of banana, citrus, blood orange, sweet clementine orange

Finish: medium long, creamy, milk chocolate, citrus, clementine orange, a whiff - and only just a whiff of smoke
Mark: +++++ 

Conclusion: Very pleasant. I do not have a sweet tooth personally, but this is one hell of a dram. One I could drink regularly, if I may add. Speaking about adding, add a splash of water and she reveals some initially hidden treasures... 

More info: Distilled in 2005 and bottled in 2014 into only 4200 bottles.

.many thanks to friend Werner for the sample