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Benromach 10 Year Old 100 Proof

Cracking

1 1096

@MaltActivistReview by @MaltActivist

15th Feb 2015

0

Benromach 10 Year Old 100 Proof
  • Nose
    24
  • Taste
    24
  • Finish
    24
  • Balance
    24
  • Overall
    96

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This whisky is the reason I take time out from my busy schedule and inflict slow damage to my liver. Just to let my whisky colleagues know that there are treasures out there simply waiting to be discovered.

I'll be honest. Benromach was not on my radar as a must-try. I was going to get there eventually but I was in no rush. But then Ralfy decided it would be a good idea to declare their 10 year old as his whisky of the year. While I usually scoff at such titles Ralfy is a dependable chap.

So I decided this was a good time as any to put his claim to the test. So while I was in the process of procuring said title holder I saw this particular expression sitting by the 10 year olds' side. Labelled as 100 proof it came in at 57% compared to the measly 43% that the standard 10 year old was bottled at.

What I love is that Benromach has decided to re-create the classic Speyside flavors of the 60s which means that there is a small amount of peat used in the barley (12ppm in the final product to be exact).

The spirit is a blend of 80% bourbon and 20% sherry hogshead married together for it's final year in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. My sample is from a brand new bottle dated 25.09.2014

Nose: Crisp sherry. No off notes here. Green tobacco leaf. Chocolate. Oak. Dates. Dark fruits. Cinnamon. Some fudge. Dark currant jam. Strawberries. Red apple. Vanilla. Let it breathe and it becomes a little more savory. Fresh green peas. Hint of ginger. Gets dry over time. This such a beautiful nose. It's not overly complex. All the aromas are on point and beautifully represented. This is close to being perfect.

Palate: The tobacco is king here. Smoked oak. Some sherry. Touch bitter. But a manly bitter. Nothing off here.Chocolate. Cinnamon. Maple syrup. Christmas cake. Rum topf. Caramel. The Oloroso really comes into play here. Leads the way but never overpowers. Let's the spirit speak.

Finish: Long. Tobacco. Touch of mint. Oak.

This is an insanely beautiful whisky. Hats off to Benromach (and G&M for reviving it) for embracing traditionalism in favor of mass production and NAS profits. Truly a masterclass in elegance and a glimpse into the glorious past that is Speyside whisky.

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10 comments

@Victor
Victor commented

Makes me want to have some. Thanks, @MaltActivist!

9 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

Thanks @Victor. How have you been old friend?

9 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@MaltActivist, I am well, thank you, and you? It is unusually cold here in the Washington area today, -13 C, with -23 C wind chill.

9 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@Victor This is the time to be where I am right now. It's around 18C with a cool breeze. Perfect to sit outside and savor something special. I live on the 30th floor of my apartment building so it's nice to take in the view as well.

9 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

This does sound delightful. Not available in my neck of the woods though, not even in Alberta. I would definitely be happy to try this. I'll be overseas in March...I'll add it to my list (near the top) of things to look for.

9 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

Sadly, all my efforts in vain. I'll have to go with plan B...drink something else.

9 years ago 0

@Cunundrum
Cunundrum commented

@Nozinan, @Victor, I spoke with Chris at the Connecticut office for Benromach in North America yesterday. He assured me that the 10 100 proof will be arriving in North America soon. The reason for a delay is that the American 100 proof is different from the Scottish 100 proof. So it will be called the Benromach 10 Year Imperial Proof, or something like that, but it will have the same whisky inside. This said, will it? Not sure .. . different batch? I tend to think so. Oh well. Beggars cannot be choosers. Then again, for a hundred bucks or so I guess we will not be beggars!!!

9 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@Cunundrum It will be interesting to see if there's any batch variance for the US market. I like how everyone has to modify everything for the US market. So what if it's called 100 Proof. Just because it's the Scottish proof system? Amuses me to no end.

9 years ago 0

@Ol_Jas
Ol_Jas commented

Benromach's plan sounds better than what Springbank used to do when they had "100 Proof" bottles. Those were 50% in the US and 57% in the UK and elsewhere—so totally different whiskies using the same name. Reviews of those bottles are always either confusing or weighed down with explanations to avoid confusion.

Also, "Imperial Proof" sounds pretty badass.

9 years ago 0