Benromach Heritage 35 Year

Smells of orange juice, apple juice, apricot, beeswax, turmeric, aged leather-bound books on a waxed bookshelf, a cedar wood cigar box, and fragrant unburnt pipe tobacco. As time passes, a smoky or ashen scent emerges, though this is not a peated whisky; the aroma is of old, old wood char. Adding water causes the nose to erupt with orange oils. Taste: A crisp, dry arrival, much more akin to fino sherry than oloroso, and somewhat surprising given the nose. The flavors are as light as the aroma but lack its sweetness. Notes of orange marmalade, almonds roasted with their skins on, wood resin, and bitter dark chocolate are present. The texture is pleasing and just slightly slick. Water renders the palate very smooth and inviting. Finish: Medium. Hints of peanut skins, aged oak, and dry sherry. A superb old whisky that sidesteps the common pitfall of an intense oloroso sherry character. It's light, crisp, and unlike anything currently produced by Benromach (this dates from the period before Gordon & Macphail revived the distillery and began using lightly peated malt). It also stands apart from nearly every other single malt over 30 years old I've sampled. I visited the distillery and took their “Heritage” tour specifically because I knew this whisky would be available as part of the post-tour tasting. My expectations were high, and they were met. Highly recommended if you possess exceedingly deep pockets. Otherwise, take a few days off, travel to Speyside, and savor a dram at the distillery. The cost will be roughly the same, likely less. “Excellent”: 89/100 (4.75 stars)

Very pale, a lingering peppery finish, citrus notes