BENROMACH 15 YEARS OLD CROWNED ‘WHISKY OF THE YEAR 2020’ BY WHISKY EXCHANGE CUSTOMERS IN ANNUAL BLIND TASTING

Speyside distillery Benromach has claimed the top spot in the annual Whisky of the Year blind tasting by specialist spirits retailer The Whisky Exchange, with their 15 year old expression – a lusciously rich Speyside single malt, with a soft smokiness and distinctive golden amber colour thanks to maturation in first-fill former sherry and bourbon casks.

The Whisky of the Year tasting is the only official global blind whisky tasting undertaken by members of the public and, for the first time this year, the six shortlisted whiskies were nominated by global customers of The Whisky Exchange, with more than 1,200 putting forward their favourites. The judging of the most popular six was opened up to the world via the Whisky of the Year blind tasting set and online voting, in addition to a blind-tasting event in London on 18 November. With just over 300 votes cast, it was a tightly-fought battle.

All the shortlisted whiskies are under £65 retail price, bottled at standard strengths, and are all ongoing, commercially available releases. In addition to the winning Benromach 15 Years Old, the final shortlist included:

• Kavalan Classic Single Malt (Runner-up)
• Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
• Glenallachie 12 Year Old
• Lagavulin 16 Year Old
• Port Askaig 8 Year Old

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach Distillery, said: “Benromach 15 Years Old being named Whisky of the Year is an incredibly proud moment for the whole team at the distillery.

“Like all our whiskies, Benromach 15 Years Old is handcrafted using the finest natural ingredients and is a distinctive Speyside whisky with a subtle smoky character. The longer maturation softens its smokiness to hints of charred smoke while developing the wood imbued character of succulent honey, vanilla and fruit.”

Sukhinder Singh, co-founder and owner of The Whisky Exchange, comments: “The idea behind our Whisky of the Year initiative is making excellent affordable whiskies known to whisky-lovers around the world, and if you don’t know Benromach 15 yet, then you really need to. This is an exceptionally well-balanced and pleasing dram, with something for everyone – peat smoke, rich fruit, chocolate, herbs and spices. Entirely understandable that whisky-lovers from around the world nominated this classic Speyside single malt for the shortlist and a worthy winner of the title.”

Benromach 15 Year Old is available at thewhiskyexchange.com priced £48.95 (on promotion, full price £52.95).

TASTING NOTES

Benromach 15 Years Old is bottled at 43% ABV

• Colour: Golden Amber
• Nose: Beautifully balanced Sherry aromas with vanilla pod, zesty orange and spicy ginger complemented by delicate chamomile and menthol notes. With water it has subtle hints of cocoa, nutmeg and cinnamon giving way to sweet honey notes and hints of bonfire embers.
• Palate: Rich fruit cake with stewed plum, red apple skin and the sharp edge of kiwi fruit. With water it has traces of charred oak complementing sweet tangerine, plum and nectarine completed by a gorgeous touch of milk chocolate
• Finish: Luscious and rich with hints of charred smoke, succulent honey, vanilla and fruit
• Maturation: Matured for 15 years in sherry and bourbon casks 

ABOUT BENROMACH DISTILLERY

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com 

ABOUT THE WHISKY EXCHANGE

Founded in 1999, The Whisky Exchange is the leading global retailer of whiskies and fine spirits, with an award-winning online shop and two stores in Covent Garden and Great Portland. A third store is due to open soon in London Bridge.

As a family company, The Whisky Exchange believes in excellent products at competitive prices and exceptional service. The company’s philosophy is simple – never rest on your laurels. The team, led by founders and brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh and buyer Dawn Davies MW, is constantly trying to find new products with genuine heritage and quality in all drinks categories, while continuing to innovate and ensure its website and shop are the best in the business. Above all, the company is built on its amazing range and its people. It is responsible for the loyal and ever-expanding fan base from around the world.

The Whisky Exchange in numbers: 4,000 whiskies including 3,000 single malt Scotch whiskies; 500 Cognacs and Armagnacs; 500 rums; 450 gins; 200 bourbons; 150 Tequilas; one retailer.

London Shops:

2 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9HH/ Tel: 020 7100 0088

90-92 Great Portland Street, London W1W 7NT/ Tel: 020 7100 9888

Online: thewhiskyexchange.com/ Tel: 020 8838 9388