Benromach - Peated Sherry Cask - 2010-2019 - 59,9%
Photo taken somewhere in Stuttgart
As soon as spring is generating new buds and blossoms, people get their rusty grills out of the basement, and the whole air is heavy with scent of barbecue and meat. Accordingly, distilleries timely start to release heavily peated editions and expressions (see Kilkerran) in order not to miss the peated salestrain. But we by Jove do not complain! This could actually be a nice sparring partner of the brillant Benromach 10yo 100 proof.
Nose
This is straight from hell. Dark waves of old leather, tobaco leaves, grilled lamb, gasoline, railway steam and rusty rods envelop the nose. All paired with a thick and sticky sweetness of raisins, dates and roasted butter. After a while we also find some fresher spices like thyme and crushed mint leaves.
With water: From hells kitchen to grandma's bakery: Much more Butter cake, hazelnuts and vanilla pods.
Palate
Neat: Thick and oily sweetness, with a heaviness like a rock. Dresdner Christmas Stollen with dates, raisins and a bunch of spices!
With water: Even more delicate, like chewing on roasted fudge, infused with mint oil.
Finish
Longer than a traffic jam on friday evening. Where did the lemons and grapefruits come from?! Very mouth coating. Slight rubber and leather notes at the end.
Rating
Oh my, this is stuff that makes you sit down. Some would say that it's too much oak driven. It is actually, but not unbalanced at any stage. This bottling just beats their 100 proof expression. For us, Benromach is one of the lately most thrilling distilleries in the lands around Spey. Beside their lovely distillery tour and tasting, we adored their passion and craftmanship. Thanks for that dram!
