Whisky Review/Tasting: Benromach Hermitage Wood Finish

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Speyside, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Initially matured in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, followed by a 27-month finishing period in French wine casks from the Hermitage region in the northern Rhone Valley.
Age Statement: 9 years old.
Color and Clarity: Rich ruby-red color, attributed to the oak casks that once nurtured wine from the Hermitage Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée.
Bottle Design: Comes with a small leaflet detailing the specific casks used for maturation, emphasizing its unique finishing process.

Balance of Flavors: A complex interplay of fruitiness, sweetness, and a gentle smokiness, with no single flavor overpowering the others.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky exhibits a notable influence from the Syrah wine casks, imparting a deep color and a rich, fruity flavor profile. The use of smoke in the barley drying process adds a subtle complexity.
Comparison: While maintaining the characteristic fruitiness of Speyside whiskies, the Benromach Hermitage Wood Finish stands out for its wine cask finishing and the inclusion of smoke, setting it apart from other Speyside offerings.

Anecdotes: The Hermitage region's historical significance in grape cultivation since the Roman Empire is highlighted, connecting the whisky's flavor profile to a rich cultural heritage.
Trivia: The specific use of Syrah casks from the Hermitage region and the detailed explanation of the region's geography and viticulture practices add depth to the whisky's backstory.

The Hermitage region's steep slopes and intense sunlight contribute to the distinctive qualities of the Syrah grapes used for the wine casks, directly influencing the whisky's unique flavor profile and color.

Horst Luening's Opinion: "You do not have to mature a whisky for decades to be a very good whisky. This one is only aged for nine years. If you're doing everything the right way then a nine-year-old whisky is really really excellent."
Noteworthy Quote: "Full and intense, real impact with a little smoke. The smoke is not that intense that it covers the rest of the aromas."

The Benromach Hermitage Wood Finish is a 9-year-old single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside, finished in Syrah wine casks from the Hermitage region.
It features a rich ruby-red color and a complex flavor profile of sweet summer fruits, refreshing citrus, and a gentle smoky edge.
The whisky's unique characteristics are attributed to the specific wine casks used for finishing, and its production incorporates smoke in the barley drying process.
The Hermitage region's historical and geographical significance plays a key role in the whisky's flavor profile and storytelling.
Expert opinions highlight the whisky's excellence despite its relatively young age and the successful integration of complex flavors.

For Whisky Enthusiasts: Those interested in exploring the influence of wine cask finishing on whisky will find the Benromach Hermitage Wood Finish particularly intriguing.
For Speyside Scotch Lovers: Individuals who appreciate the fruitiness typical of Speyside whiskies but are looking for something with a unique twist will enjoy this offering.
For Collectors: Given the limited availability of only 4200 bottles worldwide, collectors seeking rare and distinctive whiskies might be particularly interested in acquiring a bottle.