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Hi, this is one of our (almost) daily tastings. Santé!
   
   
 

December 7, 2024


Whiskyfun

 

 

 

Angus's Corner
From our correspondent and
skilled taster Angus MacRaild in Scotland


Three Benromach 

I seem to recall writing some Benromach notes for WF not too long ago, but there’s some intriguing looking new ones on the desk, plus I bought a bottle of the 10 year old for festive purposes and, most importantly, I really like Benromach. So, excuses duly submitted, let’s commence…
Angus  

 

Benromach 10 yo (43%, OB, 2024)

Benromach 10 yo (43%, OB, 2024)
Colour: pale gold. Nose: a soft, mineral sherry, with impressions of mechanical stuff, toolboxes, oiled bike chain, bone marrow and suet. Some soft, heathery peat in the background too, with also a nicely coal-dusty and sooty edge. Has an old school character that almost comes across as old bottle effect, with these fun notes that suggest metal polish, steel wool and old pewter hip flasks or drinking goblets. Mouth: graphite oil and muddy peat, with lanolin, rather salty, drying sherry character and even a waxy side that begins to emerge. Rugged and robust whisky that definitely carries an element of older school charm and charisma. Also gives a feeling of mineral oils and a slightly earthy, mossy quality. Finish: medium length, more soft peaty and peppery notes, a nicely oily quality and some more salty sherry notes. Recalls some older Taliskers in some way. Comments: bang for your buck! A charmingly composed mix of full-bodied, slightly older style distillate with elegant sherry influence and well-balanced peat. How often do they prepare batches of this bottling I wonder, should we expect some charming batch variation? Either way, an excuse to try it pretty regularly I would say. 
SGP: 563 - 87 points. 

 

 

Benromach 18 yo 2005/2024 (57.3%, OB for Hedonism Wines, #14197428, 1st fill sherry hogshead, 286 bottles)

Benromach 18 yo 2005/2024 (57.3%, OB for Hedonism Wines, #14197428, 1st fill sherry hogshead, 286 bottles)
A new bottling for the excellent Hedonism Wines in London. Colour: deep gold. Nose: the 10yo at warp 9! That is to say, this familiar integration of soft peat and sherry, but only with much more assertive earthiness, spiced marmalade, faded peat smoke, camphor and many elegant herbal qualities, such as bitters, teas and ointments. Also vibes of very old liqueurs such as Drambuie and Grand Marnier. With water: becomes more mentholic, with pine resin, dried mint and eucalyptus impressions. Some crystallised ginger and citrus peels as well. Mouth: muscular, vibrant and meaty sherry, with natural tars, hardwood resins, leaf mulch, tobaccos and walnut wine. Some more liqueurs, Green Chartreuse this time, and things like toasted fennel seed, dried tarragon, verbena and woodruff. Add to that some aniseed and slightly more medicinal, cough syrup vibes too. With water: leans more towards the gamier sides now, with animalistic touches, game broth, suet, old pinot noir and waxy qualities. Finish: long, peppery, earthy, waxy, mentholated and elegantly peaty. This gamey, mineral and earthy, drying sherry dominates the aftertaste beautifully. Comments: tip top modern Benromach from a rugged and excellent sherry cask. Love this tense, powerful and sinewy profile. 
SGP: 463 - 90 points. 

 

 

Benromach 21 yo 2002/2024 (56.6%, OB for Capital Whisky Club, cask #971, 1st fill bourbon barrel, 170 bottles)

Benromach 21 yo 2002/2024 (56.6%, OB for Capital Whisky Club, cask #971, 1st fill bourbon barrel, 170 bottles)
Colour: gold. Nose: green fruits and crushed nettles galore! Possesses this sort of sharp, green, lively profile that makes you think of top class New Zealand sauvignon blanc, with these notes of kiwi, gooseberry, grass, nettles, lime and passionfruit. This also has a beautiful waxiness along with a soft, brittle and coastal peat smoke that brings to mind 1990s Springbank of similar age. Continues with shoe polish and flower honey. Something for everyone! With water: more herbal now, some coconut and sandalwood, more medicinal impressions with witchhazel and a touch of antiseptic. Mouth: terrific arrival, the fruitiness is a little more sticky, sweet and syrupy here, more flower nectars, sweet honey, lime curd, barley water, waxes, pollens, sweetened breakfast cereals and fruit teas. With water: back to sharper green fruits, tart cider apples, greengage, lime and nettle once again. Finish: long, on candied citrus peels, bergamot, lemon oil, waxes and camphor. Comments: top class older Benromach once again, almost 91! These early 2000s casks seem to be unbeatable just now. 
SGP: 653 - 90 points. 

 

 

 

More tasting notesCheck the index of all Benromach we've tasted so far

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

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