The Benromach 10 was the whisky that led me to the rabbit hole of whiskyland. AliceInWhiskyland bought me a bottle for my birthday and it’s been a best friend ever since. It’s actually the 3rd whisky I’ve ever tried and the expression that I have bought more than any other. So it definitely has a place in my heart and cupboard.

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Details:

Distillery: Benromach

Expression: 10 years old

Age: 10

ABV: 43%

Price: ~£35 (£34.63 from Master of Malt)

Note: This is an older batch of the Benromach 10 from when they came in copper coloured tins. Newer batches seem to have a slightly different profile that is a bit peatier.

Background:

According to Benromach, the 10 year old is comprised of only first fill sherry and bourbon casks. Benromach make peated and unpeated whisky and I believe they mix the two to make expressions like these since their peaty whiskies are relatively high ppm’s of about 50-60. This expression is quite peaty for a speyside but definitely no where near the Benromach Peat Smoke expression.

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TheMadVatter

Nose:

The last embers of a dying fire, the traces of smoke. Rich sultanas soaked in brandy with a moist fruit cake and custard. Needless to say the nose is quite good.

Taste:

A bit spicy in the foreground, some cinnamon. Some fruits in the background.

Finish:

Slight tanins, oak chest, tea. A bit of peat. Reminds me of sitting in front of a fire in an old library and drinking tea even though I’ve never done all three of those things together.

Rating:

9

Thoughts:

This is one of my favourites. For the price point it’s hard to beat. A really good balance of peat, spice and fruit. Despite the ABV it is rich and complex.

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AliceInWhiskyland

Nose:

Crisp pears and the sweet smell of toffee apple with trailing peat.

Taste:

The sweetness in the nose greets you initially but quickly dissipates to earthy, oak notes.

Finish:

The finish is very warm with lingering peat tones. A perfect goodbye.

Rating : 8

Thoughts:

A truly universal whisky. I love this bottle. It is the first single malt we bought when coming to Edinburgh and is one that I am always happy to revisit. I would recommend this to both the novice and established whisky drinker for a well balanced, well priced, go-to dram.

2015/4/5