.benromach - 1974

In 1974, I was only one - or maybe not even that, and had never heard of whisky when this Benromach was distilled in Forres, in the north of the Speyside Region in Scotland. Since that one day, the spirit was laid down in an ex-Sherry butt, and during the 41 years that followed, this did not change until the current owners from Gordon & Macphail decided to dust off the cask and see what it has done to the spirit.

49.1% abv, €1200
single malt

Nose: sweet, toffee, floral, roses, honeysuckle, honey, fruit, juicy brambles, mango, pear, citrus, blood orange, a touch of wood, pencil shavings, a hint of fresh mint

Palate: sweet, creamy honey, juicy brambles, very ripe cherries, exotic fruit, mango, pineapple, ripe sweet pears, caramelised apples, a touch of wood shavings

Finish: sweet, honey, slightly dry, long, a clear touch of smoke
Mark: ++++/+

Conclusion: Truly a beauty. Only 41 years young, and fully matured in an ex-Sherry butt. I am pretty sure it has been a refill butt, because there are not many of the characteristic ex-Sherry notes present (to me). There is no way in hell I would pay €1200 for any whisky, but if I had to pick one, this would be high on the wish list.

More info: distilled in 1974, matured in Sherry butt # 1583, bottled into 452 bottles in 2016

.many thanks to Gordon & Macphail and Benromach for this beautiful sample

.benromach - chateau cissac - 2005

From the South-western Château Cissac winery in the Haute Médoc, come the casks in which this wood finished Benromach has matured an additional 20 months after she had been maturing in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks for the initial period of her rest.

45% abv, €50

single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, honey, fruit, honey melon, sweet red apples, fresh pears, citrus, ripe lemons, a hint of fresh mint leafs, spice, cinnamon, marshmallows

Palate: sweet, thick honey, creamy, spicy, whole black peppercorns, a touch of cinnamon, fresh mint leafs, a tuft of smoke

Finish: long, spicy, cinnamon, black peppercorns, old style liquorice, herbs, sage, bay leafs, citrus, red grapefruit, cocoa beans
Mark: +++++ 

Conclusion: Oh joy. Why have we not discovered these beauties before? Exactly what I would be looking for in a whisky, plus a little more. Here is me, wishing the good people of the Benromach distillery would make another "Wood Finish" series, and report us about where to find the bottles before they would be sold out. A little on the sweet side perhaps, but very quaffable, for a good price.

More info: distilled in 2006, bottled in 2014 into only 4.200 bottles.

.many thanks to our friend Werner for this sample

.

.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

.benromach - sassicaia - 2007

The Benromach distillery in the North of the Speyside region have a series of single malts which have been maturing in first fill ex-Bourbon casks, after which they have received a finish of several months in a another wood-type - their Wood Finish series. This specific whisky was distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2016, where the finish was a full 24 months in an ex-Sassicaia cask, a red wine from the Bolgheri region in Tuscany. You do the math...

45% abv, €45

single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: tobacco leaves, sweet, vanilla pods, marsmallows, berries, ripe raspberries, strawberries, mullberries, a hint of cold charcoal, slate 

Palate: sweet, vanilla pods, honey, floral, honeysuckle, heather, spicy, white pepper, berries, ripe raspberries, citrus, lime juice, milk chocolate

Finish: medium long, spicy, white pepper, sweet, berries, milk chocolate, a touch of the cold coals again
Mark: +++/++ 

Conclusion: A nice pink / red-ish hue, but not too much colour added during the 24 months. I had expected more, but then again, I couldn't care less about colour, normally. Other than the colour, if you like your (slightly smoky) Benromachs and you have a little sweet tooth, this might just be your thing. Good dramming, this.

More info: Limited to only 3.500 bottles.

,many thanks to friend Werner for this sample

.benromach - 15yo

A new style Benromach, naturally following their 10yo. With the same makeup as the 5, the 10 and the 100 proof, but, well, 15 years old...

.benromach - 35yo

Yesterday, February 1, 2016, the Benromach distillery Company Ltd. released one of their rarest expressions to date; a 35yo expression, that was laid down for maturation in a first fill ex-Sherry cask in the 1980's. Today, February 2nd, we received a rather cold and open (!) package. Lucky for us, the omnipresent 10yo and the 35yo were both still available in the envelope.

.benromach - 100 proof

As far as we gathered, this Benromach is of the same composition as the standard 10yo bottling, with the only difference she has been bottled at 57%. Benromach once again crafted a great whisky...

.benromach - peat smoke - 2005-2014

A Speyside distillery producing a peated whisky is not unheard of, but not common practice either. At 67ppm of phenols, she is a feisty one at that, fully matured in first fill ex-Bourbon barrels, distilled in 2005 and bottled in 2014.

.benromach - organic - 2008-2014

The world’s first wholly organic whisky, certified by the UK Soil Association, when first launched in 2006. Distilled in 2008 following the same principals as the first, and bottled in 2014, fully matured in virgin oak casks.

.benromach - peat smoke - batch three - 2002-2010

In small batches, the Benromach distillery produces a single malt with "high levels of peat smoke". The 35 ppm used for this batch is rather high for a Speyside distillery, and left alone for eight years in first fill ex-Bourbon barrels, it does the trick quite nice.

.benromach - vintage 1976

Dutch Benromach importer Jan Beek from van Wees Holland, requested via Facebook if there were bloggers available to have a sip of Benromach's vintage 1976 expression. Needless to say, we politely replied with a "yes", and some weeks later a package arrived with some marketing materials, a letter from Gordon & MacPhail and a set of samples; the 10yo and the vintage 1976. It took me a while to get myself to open the wee bottle, but here goes:

.benromach - traditional

40% abv, €30, single malt

Nose: sweet, honey, gentle, young, wet barley, fruity, unripe yellow pear, green apples, dried fruits, raisins, plums, a hint of peat-smoke
Palate: sweet, gentle, fruity, spicy, cinnamon, white pepper
Finish: medium long, sweet, vanilla, dry (bitter) apple skins
Mark: +++++

Conclusion: Nice, worth a try. She gets more interesting with a splash of water, but still, not something I would be on the lookout to purchase when I get the chance.

More info: update/ re-taste 10-2014 - three years after the initial taste; no big changes. This version of the NAS Benromach has been discontinued though...

.benromach - 10

43% abv, €35, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural color

Nose: sharp, a hint of peat, cereal, fruit, citrus, oranges, marmalade, cherries, apple-pie, cinnamon, sweetened ginger, wood, walnut
Palate: firm, sweet, vanilla, caramel, toffee, spicy, white pepper, cinnamon
Finish: medium long, medium dry, sweet, slight smoke, vanilla
Mark: +++++

Conclusion: I quite like this. She is rather sweet, has a firm bite, and with a drop of water the freshness and citrus notes come out. I will be on the lookout for more Benromach products.

More info: this whisky has been composed from a mix of 80% ex-Bourbon barrels and 20% ex-Sherry hogsheads. One year before bottling this has been married to fully mature in first fill ex-Oloroso casks.

update, January 2015:
There is a new version of the 10yo, which has undergone a new, modern label (pictured right). The composition and my earlier notes (above) seem similar.