Benromach 10
Another whisky of the year in Ralfy’s ranking. I love his way of transferring knowledge. In 2014, it was his malt of the year. I have to admit, that for me such a recommendation was enough to hunt for Benromach 10. I’ll pour some immediately and I’m gladly going to share my insights about it.
Benromach 10
Benromach means „Shaggy Mountain”
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Speyside
10 years old
43% alcohol by volume
Slightly peated, approx. 10 PPM
A mixture of 80% bourbon barrels and 20% sherry casks, in which the distillate has aged for 9 years. Then the whole had been transferred into first-fill oloroso sherry casks for a year.
Chill-filtered
Color: amber slightly falling into copper
Nose: sherry, vanilla, wood, fresh walnut (together with green shell – straight from the tree), butterscotch, anise, Galia melon, fresh cucumber, hay and hot asphalt. Alcohol is quite well hidden. 21/25
Palate: dried plums, raisins, marzipan, peach, grapefruit, ash, vanilla, burnt caramel, dried dates, ripe pears, a bit of smoke, oregano, buckwheat honey. Alcohol is better hidden than in the aroma. 21/25
Finish: ripe peach, dried plums, wood, honey, vanilla, toffee, sherry. Surprisingly long for a chill-filtered whisky. By the way … very pleasant. 22/25
Balance: well balanced whisky. You can feel the influence of sherry and good quality bourbon barrels. Completes a bit of peat smoke, which harmonizes beautifully with the whole. Minus 1 point for chill-filtration. 20/25
Overall: 84/100
Generally speaking, this is a good, solid whisky. It could have been blown my mind if it was my first single malt. But it’s quite a while since I became seriously interested in the „water of life”. I honestly admit that today this Benromach made a positive impression on me, but not as much as I expected. It’s a little bit similar to Springbank 10, but… it’s not yet that level.
Other opinions
whiskyfun (2017): 88/100
Ralfy (2015): 89/100
Price: around EUR 50
Fully recommended