BENROMACH 1974 41YO - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

Benromach Distillery in Forres in Speyside just released this oldie from 1974 as a follow-up to their release of a 35yo expression earlier this year.

The packaging is similar til the 35yo, however this is a vintage 1974 where as the other didn't carry a vintage. This is also bottled at a higher strength which I expect will do this one good :-)

To me, the 70s are one of the golden decades in whisky, so here's to hoping that also applies to this single cask from Benromach.

Time to try this...

Picture by G&M

Benromach 1974 41yo 49,1%, sherry butt#1583, 452 bottles, Distillery bottling

Colour is amber

Nose:

Picture by G&M

Polished wood, oranges, resin, bung cloth, pencil shavings, Pickwick multi dried tea leaves and hints of apricot and Madeira and just a little clove.

Taste:
A lighter arrival and initial mouth feel than expected. Through comes polished leather, dark honey, malt extract, elderberry juice, stewed apple and overripe banana and hints of rum soaked raisin. The finish is on alcohol soaked sponge cake and coffee grounds and a tiny bit of smoke.

A lighter experience than expected as already mentioned but still very delicious! Since I don't give ½ points here, it places itself along side the 35yo which I found just a tad more lively, even though it was only 43% abv.... but I'm really splitting hairs here!

90/100!

Official sample supplied by Gordon & Macphail

BENROMACH 35YO - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

Early in the 1980s, the production team at Benromach laid down some of sherry casks that has gone onto to becoming the new 35yo Benromach. Very few casks from that era remains as Benromach Distillery in was mothballed in 1983 and for that reason we're now looking at a production gap from 1983 until 1998 when Gordon & Macphail started production there again.

On its way to the retailers now are the Benromach 35yo which will land at a price of around £425 depending on where in the world you are. Its beautifully packaged and if you ask me, it could have been a lot more expensive than it is, when you compare it to similar bottlings from other distilleries... that said, the price tag still places it in the premium range of whiskies out there.

So, what's all the fuzz about, you ask?

Picture by G&M

Benromach 35yo 43% - Distillery bottling

Colour is Amber

Nose:

The first thing that comes to mind is just lovely old mellow whisky. There's a bit of lacquer, lots of overripe fruit - some very tropical in style, orange peel, honeycomb, barley wine, a noticeable smoky/burnt note in there as well along with a very present cinnamon note.... there's something about this whisky that reminds me of Xmas :-)

Picture by G&M

Taste:

Again very mellow, brown banana, fresh raisins, honey cake, marinated pear, some resin, slightly musty, more oranges and chocolate. On the finish, some toasted oak and traditional tobacco shop along with a refreshing hint of mint

This is great whisky from when I was still in school - time flies!

90/100!

Official sample provided by Gordon & Macphail

RARE BENROMACH 35 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT WHISKY UNVEILED

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd. today reveals one of their rarest expressions to date, Benromach 35 Years Old, an exclusive whisky crafted at the distillery before the Urquhart family, owners of leading whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail, revived it in 1998.

Handcrafted using the finest natural ingredients at the Forres distillery, Benromach 35 Years Old is an exceptional whisky with real heritage and an original tale or two, having been laid down to mature in the 1980’s.  

Golden amber in colour, Benromach 35 Years Old (ABV 43%) is a most satisfying Speysider with cinnamon hints and beeswax polish, stewed pear and a delicate charred Oak edge.

The bespoke decanter style bottle protecting the precious whisky is encased within a wooden presentation box, reflecting the various elements which have gone into making the whisky; the copper stills, the dark, grained wood of the original washbacks, and the white of the limewashed distillery walls.

This rare whisky, dating back to a time before Benromach was restored in the ‘90s, exudes the heritage of the Speyside distillery. Created under the watchful eye of Donald MacDonald, former Distillery Manager, the casks this whisky was matured in have long been a part of the Benromach history. Willie McArthur, former malt man and warehouseman, was one of the workers responsible for protecting the precious casks remaining in the bonded warehouses.  

Benromach Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank said: “Benromach 35 Years Old is a very special whisky for everyone at the distillery, as very few casks of Benromach remain from this time period. “Benromach today is created respecting the traditional working practices of yesteryear and is lovingly handcrafted by sight, by sound, and by touch, using the finest natural ingredients. The 35 Years Old is the perfect dram to toast the past, present and future of Benromach.”

Official Tasting notes:

Benromach 35 Years Old, 43% ABV

Colour: Golden amber

Aroma without water: Rich sherry influences with orange marmalade, kiwi and grapefruit aromas, complemented by gorgeous cinnamon spice

Taste without water: Initially, it is sweet on the palate with honey, fruitcake, ripe banana and melon flavours. Watch out for the smooth white chocolate edge as it develops, combined with a soft menthol note, giving a full body and long and smooth fruity finish

Aroma with water: Sherry influences with honey, blackcurrant and beeswax polish aromas, complemented by a subtle hint of cloves

Taste with water: A fabulous combination of white pepper followed by dried tobacco, dewy stewed pear, raisin and zesty orange peel flavours, heightened by a delicate edge of charred oak… the result of lingering for over three decades in oak casks.

Benromach 35 Years Old is available to purchase at specialist whisky retailers with an RRP in the United Kingdom of £425. Prices may vary in international markets due to duty and import taxes. For more information on Benromach, and to explore the wide range of expressions available, please visit www.benromach.com

About Benromach

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when leading whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail decided to create a classic Speyside single malt – a style that draws its influence from Speyside whiskies pre-1960s.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A four-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.

BENROMACH 15YO (2015) - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

During the Spirit of Speyside Festival this spring, I -along with a few friends- had the pleasure of dropping by Benromach Distillery on our Sunday drive.

Success had clearly reached Benromach as they were expanding the parking lot and a coach from one of the Spirit of Speyside tours were already to be found in the parking area.

I'm always happy to see a distillery succeed, so Benromach (G&M), please promise me you'll keep you values and virtues intact in these booming times :-)

One of the whiskies adding to the success of Benromach is the recently released 15yo expression, a whisky been wanting to have a crack at since I first read about its release...

Here's my take on it:

The red chimney landmark at Benromach, May 2nd 2014 © The Malt Desk

Benromach 15yo (2015), 43% - Distillery bottling

Colour is dark amber

Nose:
Classic sherry Speyside profile + an added dose of smokiness - lovely!
Some lively oak here, hints of pencil shaving, lots of spices, ginger and chili bbq rub and slightly peppery with sweet wine that has a slightly dirty edge to it.

A few drops of water brings out charred oak, bonfire notes, distinct wet topsoil note and dark chocolate orange sticks

Taste:
A gentle smoky sweet arrival, like a mild bbq sauce style with honey glace along with some orange. Quite some dark fruits in there mid palate, mainly prunes and plums, and add to that a thick toffee coating.

Water brings out a garden fruit style style... like maybe apples left too long and starting to turn brown and also smoky nutty flavour but also flattens the whole experience a bit. The smoky notes lasts quite a while along with a little malt

Quite nice as a dessert whisky, I'd say - even though I feel it lacks a little punch and I'd drink this one without water. Would love to try this one at Cask Strength though...

85/100!

Official sample provided by Gordon & MacPhail / Benromach

BENROMACH 2008 ORGANIC - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

Benromach has been making a lot of noise with its recently released 10yo version, especially the 100 proof version. It has received excellent reviews in most places - incl here - so when a chance to try some more Benromach presented itself

Benromach has been releasing organic whisky since 2006 and the latest version from them is the 2008 vintage. This Benromach Organic is certified by the UK Soil Association which means it has to meet certain standards all the way from barley to bottle.

Matured in virgin oak casks, we should expect a very noticeable effect on the spirit from these casks. There's a fine balance virgin oak and spirit and if the producers are not careful, you can end up with oak juice instead of whisky but Gordon & MacPhail, who owns Benromach are seasoned veterans when it comes taking care of their casks - both from Benromach and other distilleries.

Benromach Distillery, August 24th 2012 © The Malt Desk

Benromach Organic 2008/2014 43%, virgin oak casks, Distillery bottling

Colour is light amber

Nose:
A very active and full nose - quite big and expressive, actually...
Very thick and fruity on overripe fruits, mainly brown and/or warm banana, vanilla, toffee and hints of coconut. After a while some lovely malt notes appear along with hints of charred wood.

Taste:
The virgin oak casks have don their job well here. There's creamy malt, cooked fruit and what can only resemble artificial honey melon flavour. Also a distinct peppery edge to be found in there - most likely from the effect of the very active oak. Water releases a fresh grassiness, mostly on the nose and also hints of powdered ginger on the palate, mixing with the peppery notes.

This whisky is somewhere between 5 and 6 years old, but carries no noticeable notes of new make spirit - again thanks to the virgin oak casks. I could maybe have wished for a tad bitterness and peppery oak on the finish, but other than that I have to say that this is quite good whisky!

Finally, I'd like to commend G&M and Benromach for putting the vintage on this bottling and with that offering disclosure on whats really in the bottle.

84/100!

Official sample provided by Gordon & MacPhail / Benromach


...and a little footnote for you...

During the upcoming Spirit of Speyside Festival, running from April 30th through to May 5th, Benromach Distillery provides quite an extensive range of events for whisky lovers and other good folk making their way to town of Forres in Moray. Check out what events are available by following the link to the festival above.

BENROMACH 10 100 PROOF - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

Benromach Distillery in the town of Forres between the river Findhorn and the west of the Speyside 'capitol' of Elgin prides themselves in producing a style of Speyside whisky associated with the 1960 or before that...

What does that mean, you ask? Well, back then most barley was malted at the distillery and peat was used as fuel when drying the barley, instead of hot air used at many commercial malting sites today and this produced a quite peated whisky compared to todays regular offerings from Speyside distilleries.

Benromach, owned by independent bottler, Gordon & MacPhail of Elgin has successfully revived that style and has worked their was up towards it for some time now, since they acquired Benromach Distillery in 1993 and after a restoration period started distilling there again in 1998.

I've already had the opportunity to try the 10yo version at 43% but wasn't able to take any notes at the time but from memory, the 100 proof 57% version I'm about to review seems quite the more robust dram, not only in alcohol strength, but also in overall flavour profile as opposed to the 43% which seems alot more sweet. 100 proof btw, is an old Imperial measure equivalent of 57% abv.

This dram is quite sherried and I'm suspecting maybe just a slightly bit more sherry cask influence in this one than in the 43% version which supposedly is made up 80% ex-bourbon casks and 20% ex-sherry casks.

Benromach Distillery Visitors Center, August 24th 2012 © The Malt Desk

Benromach 10yo 100 Proof 57% (2014), Distillery bottling

Colour is amber

Nose:
Initial impressions are a lovely mix of dark fruit (sherry) and smoky notes all delivered to your nose by the high alcohol strength of 57% - so just be a little careful nosing this! I'm actually quite surprised at the peating level of this one...

There's lots more in there though - here we go... I've already mentioned the dark fruits, fresh tobacco leaves, mint/menthol and lots of chocolate notes, thinking After Eight mint sweets, but also other kinds without mint - e.g. Danish Anton Berg chocolates Plum in Madeira and regular chocolate covered marzipan bars. Also getting notes of burnt caramel, overripe apple, orange peel on a bonfire and thick malt. Wow!

Taste:
Somewhat more aggressive on the palate. A good part of the 57%shows itself on arrival, but turns into a dry peat smoke and with sherry showing itself as burnt figs, earthy/dusty floors, overripe/brown banana. It then turns peppery and goes into BBQ overdrive with wood chips, lots smoky meat glace, BBQ rub paprika/chili style.

The addition of water to this drams kills the complexity fairly quickly, but if the alcohol bothers you, then by all means go ahead but I suggest you just let you palate adjust to it and let your mouth produce the saliva needed to dilute this one...

I also find the some wood chips notes present on the finish suggesting the use of some very active oak, maybe to finish the whisky. This prevents me from giving this one both thumbs-up and propelling it to 90p.

There's no denying the fact that this is great whisky and I'll probably be getting myself a bottle before long...

Finally, thanks to Soren from Skjold Burne Vinhandel for the sample!

89/100!

BENROMACH 1976 - CADENHEAD

This next dram in this small 3-parter, is from the smallest distillery in Speyside - Benromach Distillery in the town of Forres.

Benromach was closed during the early 80's along with many other distilleries and was silent for 15 years before independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail took started distilling there again in 1998.

Today, G&M runs a very successful operation at the site and it is, IMO, a small distillery certainly worth visiting if you're in the area.

Its an older Cadenhead bottling of Benromach, all the way back to when Cadenhead brought out their bottlings in clear green glass. Back in the day, they filled their casks at a much higher abv% than they do today - which also shows in this bottling here... 61,5% after 20 years in the cask - impressive!

Benromach 1976/1997 (12.76/04.97) 61,5% from an oak cask, Cadenheads Authentic Collection

Colour: White wine

Nose:
Green soft (soda) drink (DK Specialty?), cut grass, caramel, hay and a bite of alcohol. Also Froggy washing up liquid and vanillas.

Taste:
Honey, drying then sweet oak, dark musty cellar, cremé on a warm dessert, burnt sugar (cremé brulee style), with water more cask notes comes out to give it a bitter sweet finish.

A lovely Benromach, indeed!

88/100!