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We’ve had all types of expressions within the Contasts sequence from Benromach distillery. Assume air-dried vs. kiln-dried oak, virgin oak, Cara Gold malt and Bordeaux casks as an illustration… For 2024 they selected the most important distinction of all: they unnoticed the trademark peat and created an unpeated expression.
Benromach Contrasts: Unpeated 9 yo 2014 (46%, OB 2024, sherry + bourbon casks)
Nostril: a pleasant trace of paraffin up entrance, with biscuity notes and a mixture of vanilla and minty notes. Hints of tangerines, peaches and yellow apple, together with lime. Nonetheless some minerality and a transparent Benromach footprint regardless of the absence of smoke. Then a gentle trace of ginger as effectively.
Mouth: extra sweetness, now slightly extra fudgy together with some raisins and sweetened natural tea. Apricot and apple once more. Then again to barely tangy citrus and this chalky minerality. Liquorice and refined mint.
End: medium size, with slightly extra peppermint, herbs, candy malty notes and mineral echoes.
Peat, no peat… good spirit is sweet spirit. It’s good to see the distinctive profile of Benromach nonetheless stands, even in the event you take the (gentle) peat out. Additionally, this comes at 46% ABV, which I’ve all the time thought must be the energy of the traditional 10 too. Already out there from the Benromach store.
Whereas we’re at it, let’s add a fast evaluation of a current batch of the cornerstone Benromach 10 Yr Outdated.
Benromach 10 yo (43%, OB 2024, sherry + bourbon casks)
Nostril: oilier after all, with a stunning dustiness, extra paraffin and hay. Additionally chalk and drier hints of pine and dusty barley. Simply the lightest whiff of ashy smoke. Then some gentle peach and apple sweetness within the background, however far much less distinguished than within the unpeated expression. Maybe slightly extra sherry-forward too, or so it appears.
Mouth: whereas the noses have been clearly completely different, they’re nearer collectively now, I feel. The mint and eucalyptus, citrus and natural notes – all right here as effectively. It’s solely the ashy smoke and dusty word that comes a bit later that units them aside.
End: barely longer, now much more firmly on mineral notes and ashes. For those who return to the unpeated model now, it turns into actually fruity.
Nonetheless a traditional, reasonably approachable but in addition filled with character. and flavour. This one is accessible from The Whisky Alternate or Grasp of Malt, amongst many different retailers. Rating: 88/100
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