Benromach 12 Years Old 2000 Port Wood Finish (45%, OB, 2012)

• Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• 45% ABV
• Score: 83/100

What they say:

Distilled in 2000, this Benromach from Gordon and MacPhail was finished in port pipes from the Douro Valley for the final 8 years of its maturation.

Nose: Rich, sweet, spicy nose with peaches in syrup and tropical fruit. Hints of rum spice and a little smoke.

Palate: Thick palate entry with banana chips and aniseed. Cigar smoke and spice.

Finish: Long finish with toffee apples and cinnamon.

Overall: A creamy, fruity dram with lovely effects from the port cask.

What I say:

Dram #2 at the WOLS Benromach Wood Finishes tasting hosted by Thomas McEntee was this Port wood finish.

Colour:

Red copper gold (12/20) light tears

Nose:

Red jammy fruits; strawberry, raspberry, sweet honey, woody oak, toffee, caramel, dunnage warehouse, cereal Barley malt

Taste:

Sweet, smooth, waxy and buttery, tropical fruits banana and pineapple, jammy bramble, blackcurrant, strawberry, earthy cranberry and tobacco leaf

Finish:

Short-medium, a little rubbery, rich fruits persist

Overall:

A little underwhelming, I had hoped the long maturation in port casks may have added a lot more richness and complexity to this expression.