The Benromach Whisky Contrast Series: To Peat Or Not To Peat

The Benromach Distillery has launched a the latest addition to its Contrasts Series. The series allows Scotch single malt whisky enthusiasts to compare two different expressions of Benromach that are virtually identical in every way except for one major difference. The newest release contrasts a peated and un-peated Benromach. Below is a brief description of the Benromach distillery and tasting notes on the two contrasting expressions.

The Benromach Distillery was founded in 1898 in Forres, in the Speyside region of Scotland. Throughout its history, it has faced various challenges, including multiple closure periods, and has passed through various owners. It eventually became part of The Distillers Company Ltd and was shut down in 1983.

Gordon & MacPhail, Scotland’s iconic whisky maker and independent bottler, purchased and restored the distillery in 1993. It resumed production in 1998. Benromach aims to recreate the classic, pre-1960s Speyside style, featuring the slightly smoky character less common in modern Speyside whiskies. The distillery is known for its traditional production methods, including small-scale operations, reliance on natural ingredients, and handcrafted processes.

Benromach Contrasts Unpeated has been handcrafted using the same traditional methods by the distillery’s skilled team of distillers. The new Contrasts release features an unpeated spirit matured for nine years in a mix of ex-bourbon and Sherry casks.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, noted:

With our Contrasts range, we aim to develop whiskies that showcase the handmade skills of our distillers - and this is no exception. But this particular unpeated release provides the very definition of a contrast – so we’d love to hear what whisky drinkers think.

Below are tasting notes contrasting the two Benromach expressions.

Benromach, Contrasts Unpeated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% ABV, 700 ml.

The whisky's nose is floral, fruity and sweet, featuring aromas of vanilla fudge, digestive biscuit, cinnamon-spiced baked apple, fresh lime, ripe tropical fruits, and baked ginger.

The whisky has an oily character and a pronounced mouth weight on the palate. It exhibits flavors of dried candied pineapple, fresh apple, raspberry, golden raisin, and well-seasoned oak. Additionally, anise notes add hints of sweet licorice and subtle herbal influences. The finish is medium-length, sweet, and fruity, with lingering notes of fresh menthol and a touch of pepper.

Benromach, Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 10 YO, 43% ABV, 700 ml.

The Benromach 10 YO is the distillery’s flagship expression. It’s matured in a combination of first-fill ex-bourbon and first-fill ex-sherry casks. This single malt whisky balances fruit, smoke, and rich malt/cooked cereal flavors to reflect the historic, pre-1960s Speyside whisky style.

The whisky features aromas of orchard fruits, straw, cooked cereal, cocoa, and leather, with a touch of pine resin and baking spice. A distinctive but well-integrated note of subtle smoke with slight medicinal overtones is in the background.

It’s flavorful and robust on the palate, with a pronounced mouth weight and a heavy, oily texture. It exhibits notes of stewed apples, dried fruits, leather, cooked cereal, dried herbs, and roasted nuts, along with hints of cold smoke and charred oak.

The finish is long, with flavors of dried fruit and butterscotch and lingering notes of cold smoke and charred oak.

Overall, both whiskies exhibit a good balance, a robust body, and a soft, velvety texture with a pronounced mouth weight and oily character. Both whiskies are sweet, with obvious Sherry influences, but the absence of smoky notes makes the Contrast expression seem sweeter and fruitier on the palate. The complex interplay of sweetness, smoke, and fruit in the 10 YO expression makes it a good sipping whisky. Think of the Contrast expression as an ideal whisky to serve as an aperitif on the rocks and the Benromach 10 YO as an ideal after-dinner dram.

Sláinte