Whisky review: Benromach 5 Years Old 2006 Sassicaia Wood Finish

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

What they say:

Benromach Sassicaia wood finish 1st edition

Matured for over 5 years, this spent 27 months maturing in Sassicaia Casks prior to bottling in August 2006. Limited to 3,000 bottles

Official Tasting Notes

Nose: A subtle smokiness, with some sweet toffee and marshmallow notes. Followed by hints of red berries.

With water: Fresh and peaty with malty aromas, hints of cocoa powder and summer fruits. A herbal element is also present.

Palate: Initially very peppery, rich and creamy with A lingering smokiness.

With water: Peppery, with a sweet toffee note, followed by a slight saltiness and a subtle smoky edge.

What I say:

Dram #1 at the WOLS Benromach Wood Finishes tasting hosted by Thomas McEntee was this Sassicaia wood finish.

Colour:

Russet amber gold (8/20) heavy tears

Nose:

Fruity, peach, apricot, tangerine, a little musty oak/dunnage warehouse, sweet honey, fresh mown hay/grass, fruit syrup

Taste:

Young, new make, fruity, sweet honey, acrid/ascrebic oak wood, wine tannins, red grape juice

Finish:

Short, sweet fruity oak

Overall:

A youthful Benromach, perhaps still a little too fresh in the gills, the wine-finishing has imparted some delightful flavours and texture on the palate but this met with mixed opinions and felt to me bottled too soon.