The popular Whisky in Leiden festival is coming up this Saturday. Organiser Whiskysite.nl announced this Benromach 2008 single cask. A first-fill bourbon cask, like we’ve seen for van Wees, Whiskybase, LMdW and others in the past few months.
While a Coal Ila and Glentauchers are the official festival bottlings, this is a side release for the shop. However Benromach’s Steven Cameron will be present at the festival and will happily offer you a free dram.
Benromach 2008 (59,5%, OB for Whiskysite.nl 2017, first-fill bourbon #8523-347, 231 btl.)
Benromach 2008 (59,5%, OB for Whiskysite.nl 2017, first-fill bourbon #8523-347, 231 btl.)Nose: clean and bright, with a rather sharp onset and then some honey and vanilla to round it off. A touch of smoke and minerals. Oak shavings. I find it lighter than the partly sherry matured official releases. A little mint, ginger and citrus. Quite austere in a nice way.
Mouth: same balance of razorblade sharpness and slightly rounder notes. Grapefruit, cold ashes and plenty of minerals. Yellow berries, a little honey, smoked lemons and bitter oranges. Mentholated hints. Liquorice and ginger. Just a touch of peat.
Finish: long, with a pleasant bitterness, grapefruit skin and ginger. Even a hint of olive brine.
Excellent sharpness combined with the typical minerals and soft peat. Reminded me of Springbank on different levels. Interesting choice for a festival bottling. Around € 65, exclusively available from Whiskysite.nl from Friday.
Score: 88/100