A celebration of Whiskybase with Benromach

As a whisky enthusiast that started with this hobby before Whiskybase existed, it is sometimes fun to rummage through old Word documents stashed on my computer, just to see what my collection of bottles looked like in, say, 2008. But however charming that might be, I still would not like to go back to those days. Whiskybase gives so many options to manage and enjoy your collecting, selling, buying, tasting and informing, that a world without it is unimaginable.  Recently, the good people behind the application offered a Whiskybase PLUS subscription against a small fee. I am curious to hear from users how they experience this. Since I started with this blog, I must admit there is little time left in my daily life, so I have not checked it out yet.

Earlier this year, Whiskybase selected a single cask Benromach to present to the members. We never shy away from a good Benromach; the distillery with a ton of goodwill for making an old-fashioned style of Speyside whisky. An interesting comment was read recently by Serge Valentin on his Whiskyfun website, about distilleries that “normally” don’t produce peated whisky. They should stay away from that. Besides Islay, there are more and more producers satisfying the demand for peated whisky. If you ask me, making a peated whisky can’t hardly be more authentic for Scotch single malt whisky. To come full circle on this: I think Benromach makes one of the more superior peated single malt out there.

Benromach 2003, 21 years old, bottled at 57,4 % abv

Makeup: This Benromach was distilled on 20 January 2003 and filled into First-Fill Bourbon Barrel #45 to mature for 21 years. Bottled especially for Whiskybase on 7 February 2024, resulting in 196 individual pieces of happiness.

General impressions: Strong and smoky, riddled with farmland impressions and lush forest notes. Very rich nose, extremely rewarding, since you can smell this for hours. Pine sap, mint, then leaning towards citrusy notes. There is a hint of waxiness and honey for the pancake. The vanilla is there too, as expected from the barrel type, but it mingles with freshly mown grass. In the background, if you are patient enough, you will find faint hints of tropical fruit.

The taste is a mouthful. To me, a bit too hot, so I will add some water later, but even undiluted it truly bursts open like a pineapple, sprinkled with delicious chocolate notes that is the result of the excellent length of maturation. I already loved the standard Benromach 21 years old that was released a few years ago, this single cask relative plays the fruity side of the spectrum to the full.

While refilling the glass to make for a good balance for my water drops, some Benromach dripped on my hand. Rubbing and smelling it, elevates the farmland character, which is undeniably there. It is tempting to focus on the fruity notes, but this Benromach is complex. Anyway, I added the water, and even though it brings out more (sour) fruits, like peaches en white grapes, the best way to go is without water. This Benromach will kill in a lineup where this one is placed third or fourth.  

Conclusion: Benromach underlines its reputation of being the Springbank of Speyside. This single cask is a tour de force, bringing so much to the table that one bottle might not be enough.

Score: 89 points

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