Benromach 10 Year

Rating: 14/23 Nose: Some musty, slightly funky Benromach notes. A touch of vegetal flavor emerges later, alongside a faint cherry hint. Some subtle spices suggesting black and white pepper. Dry smoke eventually rises, in typical Benromach fashion. A mild nose with not much happening. Palate: Much more intense than the nose! Dry smoke arrives with spices (plenty of cinnamon, then ginger and clove, possibly with some black pepper). Simultaneously, sweet sherry fruit appears. It's cherry with orange zest. A bit of vanilla too, which gives way to some flint. It's difficult to determine the extent of wood influence behind the smoke, but given the spices, there must be some. Finish: Dry smoke with the spices from the palate. Perhaps some other flavors linger faintly, but not much. - Conclusion - More sherry character than in Benromach 15, but less subtlety. The 15 has more maturity, but it also has that strong, bitter layer of smoke and wood that is quite aggressive compared to this. This and the Benromach 15 are quite competitive. This one is definitely more approachable with better overall balance, but it certainly tastes younger. It's a difficult choice. This is more enjoyable, but technically, is it actually superior? Dalmore 12 (15/23) is smoother and showcases more of its grain, along with a skillful balance of its casks. It's a relief to escape that dry, bitter smoke when tasting the Dalmore. I'm disappointed to reach this conclusion, but I believe the Dalmore is better than this. I won't say it's a major victory, but the profile here just doesn't quite work. The difference isn't that large, though. Monkey Shoulder (14/23) exhibits more youthful ethanol, but it's better balanced than this. It's not easy to choose between the two. I think they are about the same quality. This could get a 14, but it feels like a low 14.

Nose: Sweet charred barrel smoke, nectarine, smoked applewood bacon, peat-infused vanilla, a slight sunscreen note, candied blood orange peel, rich ripe red cranberries, rich highland-style earthy peat, sweet candied cherry, hints of rich sherry caramel, freshly distilled malt, light chocolate with cherry schnapps, a strong note of rich sherry oak, some mild burnt plastic, medium dark chocolate, musty wood, autumnal forest and ripe purple plums, peated butterscotch, chocolate-covered figs, medicinal cherry, sweet and spicy spearmint, some chamomile tea, oiled leather, red cinnamon hard candy and a touch of clove, old oak, smoked pepperoni sticks, hickory-smoked beef jerky, salty well-baked pretzel, a strong hint of mixed cracked pepper and black peppercorn, peppered beef jerky, some red candy apple, very ripe Bosch pear Palate: Sweet sherry oak, sweet dark chocolate, a hint of strong sweet tea, sweet highland peat, blood orange and grapefruit, sweet black licorice, rich aged oak, rich green bell pepper, some ripe banana, charred earthy wood (rotting logs), aged/dried red cranberries, some medium-roasted almonds, a touch of chamomile tea, a hint of sweet and salty sea spray, a very slight hint of butterscotch Finish: Sweet sherried oak spice, red apple skins, aged and dried red cranberries, floral eau de vie with brine, bonfire smoke with a touch of earthiness and plastic, olive brine, black olives, sweet pear, mixed cracked pepper, old toffee, very ripe cantaloupe melon

Around 2024 - Demeure du grand Duc - Nancy Lovely golden and amber hue, like a chalice bestowed upon us by merciful ancient gods... Nose: alcoholic and sweet The first sip is surprisingly sweet, akin to a quality spiced rum. Then, pepper and alcohol emerge in the second sip, settling delicately on the taste buds. It's then that this whisky truly reveals itself, offering a third, peaty and honeyed sip that explodes in the mouth like an unexpected firework in an unforeseen location... A deceptive whisky that tricks the senses with its initial voluptuous and sweet impression before the palate is invaded by alcohol and peat... Like a lover who knows how to seduce you and lead you to the gates of Eden before plunging a fine, cold blade into your chest... A whisky for a dangerous woman... Little body, it leaves a pronounced taste of honey and pepper on the tongue. Tasted at the home of the grand duke, amidst Nietzschean monologues, Japanese prints, exotic plants, and ancient Greek coasters... How wonderful it is to share quality whiskies with generous hearts and enlightened minds...

Mostly malty on the nose. A splash of baked goods and a mildly herbal edge. Could be some green apple, but if so, it’s hidden under layers of dry pastry. A whiff of earth. The slightest hint of smoke but hard to tell if that’s imagined - either way it tamps any remaining fruitiness from the nose. Far more savory than sweet. Nice weight for a ten year. Malt again carries the day. Unsweetened white chocolate. Oak and some astringent tannins present themselves. Classic speyside fruit is hidden somewhere under the surface but is locked away by other elements in the profile, like the flavor of apple skins without the juicy sweet flesh. Smoke is definitely there on the taste, which makes this unique, but I find it unbalances rather than interests the palate. The dryness, astringency, and phenols create a lasting finish but not one I particularly crave. Not totally objectionable, but I have a sweet tooth and this doesn’t so much of anything for me personally. Closest comparable is Aerstone Land Cask and that was $20 cheaper - can’t recommend, especially at MSRP (which is more than what I paid).

I've been curious about this one for a while as some have suggested the closest comparison is Springbank 10. On the nose: orange marmalade, a hint of sulfur, licorice, praline, fudge, confectioners sugar, something farm-like, earthy, funky, slight peat. Actually quite impressed by the nose. It's interesting, sweet, and a little funky. The palate comes across more honeyed, slightly smoky, lightly fruity. Toffee, apricot, nuts, cinnamon, light peat smoke. It's less interesting than the nose, but still enjoyable. The finish is medium and the peat fades away leaving more of the sweet toffee and light fruit. This is better than I expected and seems to be a good value. Also more flavor than I expected for only 43%. It's under $50 around here, which is half the price Springbank 10 goes for, if you can even find it. It's not quite at Springbank level, but for half the price it's good enough. It seems to have more sherry influence than Springbank 10, so maybe more like if Macallan and Springbank had a baby. Also some similarity to Highland Park 12, but I'd take this over the HP.

A gifted bottle, this whisky wasn't familiar to me. Peated spirits aren't typically my preference, but I was keen to try it. Nose: Spice comes first, with cinnamon and black pepper present. The aroma also carries a significant amount of iodine/peat. Additionally, I detect notes of leather, reminiscent of oiled leather. Palate: It's unexpectedly sweet initially, offering flavors of brown sugar and vanilla. However, the black pepper quickly emerges and persists. The peat appears in the middle, eventually fading into that familiar oiled leather scent. Finish: This is moderately long to long. It continues with the oiled leather note. Adhesive bandages are also noticeable. While it lasts a good while, it finishes somewhat bitter and slightly displeasing. Overall, it's acceptable. Would I purchase a bottle? No. Would I consume a complimentary one? Absolutely!