Benromach Peat Smoke 2008

Nose: Very much like a liqueur, which is quite unusual for whisky. Alongside the ethanol vapors, there's a bit of chocolate and cinnamon – overall, unfortunately, not very pleasant. The peat is also not prominent and is barely detectable, if at all. Peculiar. It offers more of a smoky sensation. Palate: Intense and distinctive, but sadly, the alcohol leaves little room for subtle nuances to be perceived. However, it is certainly different and quite unique. Very spicy and not at all sweet. A small amount of water greatly benefits it. It significantly improves the nose, palate, and finish by revealing a pleasant malty sweetness. Intriguing. The delayed and lengthy finish is very enjoyable – in my view, the highlight of this whisky. Wow, what an unusual dram that was. Certainly interesting, but highly subjective and demanding. It's quite difficult to appreciate its likable qualities. It is definitely worth trying.

Benromach previously offered vintage expressions for their "peat smoke" releases. I found their 2006 bottling interesting and was keen to try this 2008 version. It's bottled at 46% ABV with a pale straw color. The nose is peaty and herbal, with notes of plastic, mint, and cotton candy. An impressive coffee bean aroma is present, along with iodine. Quite nice. The palate is good but overly simplistic, featuring coffee, bitter dark chocolate, and toffee. The finish has a typical peaty character: peppery, earthy, and metallic. Overall, this dram was pleasant but unremarkable. It felt basic and somewhat dull; the 2006 expression was significantly better. My score is 83 out of 100.

A potent Single Malt Scotch Whisky, aged nine years from Benromach Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. Crafted with pure water from Chapelton Spring and two yeast strains (brewer's and distiller's). It delivers a strong peat smoke presence (47 ppm), was distilled in 2008, and matured in ex-Bourbon barrels until its 2017 bottling. The initial aroma is rich and fragrant, featuring scents of rain on a fire, peat, wood shavings, vanilla, fruit, thyme, and honey. The palate is tart and slick, introducing flavors of pear, citrus peel, white chocolate, and subtle red berry hints. The finish is prolonged, smoky, and saline, with a whisper of menthol. July 2019 / August 2022

Benromach Peat Smoke. Produced in 2008, bottled in 2017. It has 46% ABV, 47 PPM, natural color, and was lightly chill filtered. The aroma has notes of honey and grass. I also detect a subtle herbal peat scent. The palate offers apples and pears, vanilla, black licorice, and some smoke. The finish is medium-long, with peat, sea salt, and oak. This is my first Benromach, and it's excellent! Cheers.

I quite liked this one. It has all the positive qualities of a Speyside with notes of apples, vanilla, and honey, complemented by a campfire smoke that is present but not overwhelming. Bottled at 46% ABV from first-fill bourbon casks, it is non-chill filtered and has no added color. It has been crafted correctly.

Appearance: Very light, resembling water. Nose: Smoky/char aroma dominates everything else. Taste: Oily, smoke, and peat are the main flavors, with a salty quality. Finish: Short, with smoke and peat lingering.