Benromach 10 Years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Benromach is part of the Gordon & MacPhail empire, a very small operation in the north of Speyside that is unique for using a small amount of peated malt in its mash. Otherwise, this 10-year-old is a traditional blend of 80% bourbon casks, 20% sherry casks. The final blend is finished for a year in first-fill oloroso sherry barrels.

Benromach 10 is a gentle dram, surprisingly balanced for a whisky just a decade in cask.

Tasting Notes:

The nose offers ample notes of roasted grains, sweet sugar cane, and wisps of smoke. Toffee and butterscotch with hints of liquorice and green apple.

On the palate, the spirit is far more enveloping than this simple introduction might indicate, offering notes of fresh apple, banana, sugary cereal, honeycomb, and lavender. The liquorice and green apple continue from the nose, joined by a maltiness, smoke and spicy cardamom and white pepper.

The smoke character is somewhat stronger here, leading the whisky to a powerful, almost pungent finish. A few petrol notes add a lightly industrial element to the mix — think the sweat and tears of industry, not bulk chemicals, that is. Warming, with the fruit and spice slowly dissipating to leave a delightful malty smokiness.