A new Benromach single cask is always a reason to be merry, but this time around they have outdone themselves and release not one but two single casks, the younger is the a 1977 vintage (which I am about to review) , while the elder is even older – distilled in 1972. Both casks are available worldwide in spdecialist shops for €1,500 and €1,750 respectively.
Both expressions are beautifully presented in a decanter-style bottle with shapes and textures inspired by the distillery. The bottle has a copper-foil embossed label and nestles in a dark oak wooden box, representing the original washbacks at Benromach. The copper cut medallion on the packaging signifies the moment in time when the distillers cut to the sweet heart of the spirit run.
Cask #1269 (a sister cask to cask #1268 , reviewed on the blog) yielded Only 122 decanters which were bottled 8th October 2018 after spending 41 years in a single Refill American Hogshead. . Let’s have a wee taste, shall we?
1268 reviewed on the blog) yielded Only 122 decanters which were bottled 8th October 2018 after spending 41 years in a single Refill American Hogshead. . Let’s have a wee taste, shall we?
Benromach Heritage 1977 Cask #1269 , 49.6% abv, €1,500
Nose: The nose is lovely and restrained with a nice cobination of stewed fruit and old wood : soft cooked pears in golden syrup, apple crumble with whipped cream and vanilla , wood spices (ginger, cinnamon, wood bark), blood orange marmalade, and apricot leather. The nose develops nicely with time giving way to rose water and more floral notes, with the old library wood benches and gentleman’s club leather sofas in the backdrop. Classy stuff.
Palate: Great mouthfeel on this one, below the 50% mark, but still has its vigor, rich, oily and lovely with the old wood on first wave of sensations, which then gives way to sweet honeyed nectar , and more of the fruit , mainly apricots in golden syrup, tangerines and rich chocolaty goodness, with bitter cocoa, and a pinch of cinnamon, and some wood varnish, and maybe some pepper, and cigar leaf.
Finish: Tobacco leaf, loads of rich chocolate, and wood with a sweet candied orange peel, and Bergamot.
Conclusion: Well, as always with older Benromach, this does not disappoint, no sir, not even one bit. The nose is just Superb, not very powerful and yet, so classy, yet complex, rich and beguiling. The palate packs a nice punch, and the chocolate and fruit mix wonderful together, with a nice bitter / sweet / woody finish, one can not ask for more. It’s old but not too woody, and it’s fruity and lovely, but still packs enough wood varnish and old benches to keep me happy. Bingo. Highly recommended,if you can afford one, that is, (they don’t come cheap theses days).