Benromach 10yo (43%, OB, 2009)

Benromach 10 Years Old is hand-crafted at Speyside’s smallest working distillery using the finest Scottish malted barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. Matured in the finest, hand selected Sherry & Bourbon casks, Benromach 10 Years Old is returned to sweet Oloroso sherry casks for a final marrying period. Cask: Matured in the finest, hand selected Sherry & Bourbon casks, before being returned to sweet Oloroso sherry casks for a final marrying period.

The first 10 year old single malt from the distillery since the purchase & refurbishment by Gordon & MacPhail years ago (purchased in 1993 and production recommenced in 1998). The nose  is at first fruity and smokey, this is a surprise from a Speyside distillery however it is VERY nice! As the sample spends more and more time in the glass it opens up and reveals a more vibrant nose; fruit, peat reek, spice from the oak, caramel and dark bitter chocolate. The taste is warming, sweet and mildly fragrant at first followed but the peat reek and the dark bitter chocolate, all of which are sensational. Everything is well balanced and very enjoyable. The finish is malty at first (think biscuits) followed by the peat reek and finishing with the fruit and dark bitter chocolate. The finish is quite long and is very pleasant; after a few minutes you are left with some really sensational biscuity & fruity malt.

What a great dram, Benromach have hit all the right notes with this one, well done! A bit of an unusual Speysider with the gentle peat smoke; it’s really very enjoyable.

C$70

Score 87 Points

Visit Benromach Distillery at http://www.benromach.com/