Benromach 10 Years Old (43%, OB, 2018)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Benromach distillery
• Bottling: OB
• ABV: 43%
• Cost: £34.96

Image courtesy of Master of Malt

What they say

Pour yourself a dram of Benromach – not too wee and not too big. Swirl the golden liquid around your glass and notice the AROMA WITHOUT WATER. In other words, take a sniff. Indeed, indulging in several little inhalations is the best way to pick up all the different notes… rich sherry with fruit & nut chocolate, delicate spice, green apples, malty biscuit and a touch of light peat smoke. Now sip your dram, roll the whisky around your mouth and enjoy the TASTE WITHOUT WATER… juicy raspberries and brambles, sherry, creamy malt and a light peat. Next, take in the AROMA WITH WATER… it’s a wee bit nutty with a touch of charred oak and malt, and there’s also some fancy pineapple and kiwi. Add a drop or two of water to release the full TASTE WITH WATER. Savour the succulent mouth coating and taste the toasted malt, delicate peat smoke and lingering sweet sherry… our gorgeous classic Benromach Speyside style of single malt whisky.

What I say

Distilled at Benromach distillery in Speyside and matured for a minimum of 10 years. Matured; 80% in ex-Bourbon barrels, 20% in ex-Sherry hogshead for nine years then the final year in first fill Oloroso casks.

The entry-level age statement expression (though for a short period Benromach also had a 5 Year Old available) bottled at 43% ABV.

Thanks to Benromach for the festive sample and timely revisit to this expression.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Mid copper-gold (9/20), quick, medium-large tears and medium-fine legs.
• Nose: Sweet fruit and cereals, softened flapjack with apple, peach, pear, pineapple juice, grassy hay, syrupy, raisin, warm buttered toast with marmalade and orchard fruit jam.
• Taste: Medium-full bodied on the palate, sticky and syrupy mouth-coating texture, sweet stewed fruits; apple, pear, peach with some citrus zest added, clementine, orange, cereal grain, toasted teacakes drizzled with honey, a hint of spice with both clove and vanilla and a wisp of smoke.
• Finish: Medium-long, honeyed cereal and poached/stewed fruits mixed with gentle spices.

Overall

A lovely cereal and fruit packed dram delivered with just a wisp of smoke. Still an impressive little whisky for an entry-level expression.

Score 84/100

Available from Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange

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