Whisky Review/Tasting: Benromach 15 years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Benromach Distillery, Speyside, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The whisky is matured in both bourbon and sherry casks, with a parallel maturation process rather than finishing in one type of cask. It is handcrafted with attention to detail, including hand-filling, weighing, and stamping of casks. The distillery uses traditional Dunwich warehouses with stamped clay floors for higher humidity.
Age Statement: 15 years.
Color and Bottle Design: The whisky has a beautiful dark color due to sherry cask maturation, uncolored. The bottle design includes a special paper for the 15-year-old expression and features a golden drop symbolizing the whisky's quality.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky offers a complex and full flavor profile, beautifully balanced between the sweetness from bourbon casks and the rich fruitiness from sherry casks.
Unique Characteristics: Notable for its slight peatiness (7 to 8 ppm), which softens with age to hints of charred oak. The flavor profile includes vanilla pod, honey, rich fruit cake, stewed plum, red apple skin, kiwi fruit, and a touch of smoke.
Comparison: The flavor profile is reminiscent of classic pre-1960s Speyside character, with a light touch of smoke and a rich, complex array of flavors.

Distillery History: Benromach was founded in 1898 and reopened in 1998, exactly 100 years after its initial opening. The reopening was guided by the vision of producing whisky as an independent bottler would, focusing on quality and a good selection of casks.
Production Philosophy: The distillery emphasizes handcrafting and traditional methods, including the use of small pot stills and a team of three distillers who meticulously oversee every second of the distillation process.

Speyside Character: The whisky is celebrated for embodying the classic pre-1960s Speyside character, which is characterized by a beautifully balanced flavor profile with a light touch of smoke. This reflects the distillery's commitment to traditional Scottish whisky-making techniques and the cultural heritage of the Speyside region.

"A wonderful whisky... on the peak of perfection." - Horst Luening, Master Taster of Whisky.
"There are no shortcuts to perfection." - Emphasizing the distillery's dedication to quality and traditional craftsmanship.

Benromach 15 years old is a single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside, matured in both bourbon and sherry casks.
It features a complex flavor profile with vanilla, honey, fruit cake, and a light touch of smoke.
The distillery's history and commitment to traditional methods contribute to the whisky's classic pre-1960s Speyside character.
The whisky is celebrated for its quality, craftsmanship, and embodiment of Speyside's cultural heritage.

For Whisky Connoisseurs: The complex flavor profile and traditional craftsmanship make this whisky a must-try.
For Fans of Speyside Whiskies: Those who appreciate the classic Speyside character with a balance of sweetness and fruitiness will find this whisky particularly enjoyable.
For Beginners: The balanced flavors and slight peatiness provide an accessible introduction to single malt Scotch whisky, especially for those looking to explore Speyside whiskies.