As mentioned in an earlier post, my love for Benromach came (far too) late. Not because I didn’t like it at first, no, it’s just because I never felt the urge to buy a bottle. One time, in an early “let’s-buy-everything-that’s-peated-period” I bought a Benromach Peat Smoke, but it went down quick and haven’t given it the attention it deserved.
There’s one liquor store in the north of the Netherlands, that I pay a visit every year when I’m on holiday. These guys are the best, I can easily spend hours skimming through the shelves and chatting about everything whisky. They always let me try several drams, which they know I’ll like and they’re almost never wrong. I discovered some of my favourites: Ben Nevis 10, many independently bottled sherried Glenrothes and Benromach 10 to name a few. This is one of the things I absolutely love about our hobby.
Now my Benromach collection is changing from time to time, in order to try as many as possible. And these bottles are going down relatively quick. They have a very unique taste, which has something exotic, I found many resemblances with Amrut (Indian) for example.
Of course I couldn’t miss the 15yo, a solid part of their core range. Matured on bourbon and sherry casks, bottled at 43% ABV and as per the Benromach house style it’s lightly peated. Let’s give it a taste:
A farm in the spring, when farmers fertilize their fields (dung if you will, but not in a bad way). Oriental spices, curry, a hint of smoke and leather. Walnuts, peated barley and raspberry jam. Nuts, raisins and spicy oak.
A bit on the subtle side with an old and earthy character. But pretty oily when you give it some time, with warming notes of leather and orchard fruits and soaked raisins.
Long and oriental, orange peel pickle, lavender, leather and old books. Like walking into an ancient library. Then there are some lively hints of raisin bread, nectarines, cream and butter. A hint of burnt rubber and theatrical smoke.
It’s lovely, warming and incredibly polished. The flavour profile is what makes Benromach, well, Benromach! On top of that It feels definitely more oriental than other core range expressions. I personally prefer the 10yo, because I like myself some rough edges. But I can see why this is a favourite, and the value for money at around 65 euros is just perfectly fine.