Benromach Organic

My bottle: Produced 2010, bottled 2017. Nose: Malted barley, butterscotch, vanilla, leather, some very fine fresh oak, and a touch of tobacco. There's also a heathery aroma. A very crisp nose. Palate: Dry and bittersweet arrival, intensely cereal and malty - like chewing on a mouthful of freshly milled grain. A light cereal sweetness, and adding water reveals more sweetness and a spiciness from the grain that is otherwise completely hidden. Such an relentlessly cereal palate! Finish: Short. Soft, clean, and... where did it go? This has a clearer and more cereal nose than any other Benromach I've sampled, and with a drop of water it opens up and suggests a refreshing and crisp palate. That it certainly is, but there is also delicacy to the point of being shy. Some light aromas and flavors appear fleetingly, but there is an overall lack of character. Perhaps it's too refined for a rough old fellow with taste buds worn out after years of spirit consumption? There's certainly nothing unpleasant about it, and it possesses a sort of austere sophistication. The nose is very nice, the palate crisp and dry, and the finish sweet, simple, and short. It's the spirit equivalent of a dry white wine that is so icy clean it almost tastes like water. Unfortunately, I prefer my spirits with a bit more personality, even if they are sometimes unrefined and not suitable for polite company. (I am told the 2010 batch has a different profile from earlier versions). Ultimately, this strikes me as being like a refined Glenmorangie Original or Glenfiddich 12. Well-made, clean, balanced, but best used as a dependable everyday drink or the initial basic spirit of a tasting session. I cannot fathom the official score of 95 given to this when the 15 Year Old and Peated versions are so clearly superior. I wish I could rate this higher, because sitting here with the very pleasant light aftertaste it leaves, I have a positive impression, and I can imagine many spirit drinkers would appreciate its qualities more than I, however, in the end, I'm simply not that impressed. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

I sought out this particular bottle specifically because it's one of the few Scotch options using organic barley. While the distiller doesn't name the farms, they confirm the UK Soil Association certifies every production stage. It's no surprise the barley's quality shines through. The nose offers fresh spring cereal with a touch of oak and vanilla. These cereal notes are even stronger on the palate, blending well with the peppery spice from the virgin oak. Exceptionally clean and vibrant – quite enjoyable. Adding a tiny bit of water is crucial for bringing out the barley's best qualities. Although young, the quality is evident, even if it didn't completely astound me. My enjoyment grew with each pour. Score: The distiller's rating seems excessively high, perhaps by 5 points. I give it a 90. Would I purchase it again? Eventually, but I'm not in a hurry to replace it. At $72, it faces stiff competition. Distilled: 2010 Bottled: 2016

This is one of Benromach's main offerings, and the "Organic" bottling has grown in popularity recently. I typically don't have positive experiences with organic products, and I've tried several whiskies made this way that weren't very good. Benromach translates to "The Peak" in Gaelic, and its reopening in 1998 was attended by a special guest, Prince Charles. Bottled at 43% alcohol by volume, it has a pale straw color. On the nose, it's intriguing, a bit unusual, and distinctly organic. Notes of malted barley, cotton candy, and hay are present. It smells like a farm. Hints of coffee, salty crackers, and carbonated water; it has a powdery feel. There's an odd sensation that resembles Coca-Cola. On the palate, it's not exceptional. Flavors of honey, red apples, nuts, and floral notes are found. The finish is spicy, brief, and not particularly pleasant. Pepper, ham, and chili are the dominant notes. Nothing more. Overall, I've seen some very positive reviews for this one, but it was a complete letdown for me. It's not bad or unpleasant, just too straightforward and lacking in flavor. My rating is 78 out of 100.

Kindly note, this evaluation pertains to the very first version of the bottling, the 2006. The color is dark amber, very intense, amazing considering it's without artificial coloring. The aroma is very sweet, almost sickeningly so (at times resembling a Bourbon), even allowing it to breathe doesn't yield: vanilla in abundance, caramel, a hint of citrus. Wood is also very prominent (similar to smelling the planks of a recently refurbished mountain cabin): the aging is unspecified (it is said between 5 and 6 years) but the newness of both the spirit and the wood is quite evident. Over time, there's also some banana. The scent of wood persists strongly on the palate, like consuming an extract of wood shavings, mellowed by sweetness (almost cookie-like) and fruitiness. Not very sharp and somewhat dull, without any particular spark. The finish remains sweet with a trace of bitterness, not very long.

Mediocre. I wanted to experience more of the barley, considering its focus. I didn't...I detect a somewhat weak tartness with light nuttiness. There's a more grassy aroma than cereal, which is again disheartening. The youth is really obvious: lacking profound flavors, peppery heat, no lingering taste. I dislike that it's over $60 a bottle for something that's no more than six years old. Couldn't they have let it mature a few more years? Do organic grains not age well? Does age make a difference? I'd say yes, when it's this young and not a mix of different ages. I don't require more than a good 10 or 12 to be very content with the quality. This is worth half its cost - and I've stated this same thing about 21+ year old expressions too.

As the first single malt to be certified 'Organic' by UK Soil Association standards, this whisky is quite innovative. Maturation in American virgin oak casks imparts a surprising depth and complexity to this Benromach, which is unusual for its age. On the nose, I detect banana, apricots, and toffee alongside lemongrass, marshmallows, and hints of fresh mint. It's all very sweet and spicy. Tropical fruits, green tea, and even a subtle touch of chili appear on the palate, leading to a lingering, cask-influenced, and mildly dry finish. This dram is refreshingly distinctive! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]