After the latest batch of Benromach 10 Years I also wanted to revisit this Benromach 15 Years. Back in 2014 I thought this had little more to offer than its little brother, especially when you took the price into account. Let’s find out how they’ve evolved.
As you know the 15 has a greater emphasis on sherry casks than the 10 Year Old.
Benromach 15 yo (43%, OB 2020)
Nose: a tad richer indeed, with some added chocolate notes but still some of the juicy fruits of the 10 Years. Apricots, orange and lemon juice. Muesli. Gingery notes, but less of the peppery edge that is probably a bourbon cask influence. Soft hints of coal and ashes in the background. Some mint. A kind of Springbank Lite in a way.
Mouth: fairly rich, with dry malty notes, leather, but also rounder dried fruits (apricot, yellow apple peelings) and a slight waxy note. Fruit tea, raisins, hints of cinnamon and rubbed mint leaves. Cocoa.
Finish: quite long, hints of fruit cake, spice and very little smoke now.
This remains rounder and sweeter than the 10 Years, indeed a tad more sherried. It’s a matter of personal preference, but I think the old-school character and the smoky touches stand out more in the 10 Years. Very little has changed since 2014, we can only applaud that. Available from The Whisky Exchange for instance, most other retailers still seem to have the old presentation.