We’ve had all kinds of expressions in the Contasts series from Benromach distillery. Think air-dried vs. kiln-dried oak, virgin oak, Cara Gold malt and Bordeaux casks for instance… For 2024 they chose the biggest contrast of all: they left out the trademark peat and created an unpeated expression.
Benromach Contrasts: Unpeated 9 yo 2014 (46%, OB 2024, sherry + bourbon casks)
Nose: a nice hint of paraffin up front, with biscuity notes and a mix of vanilla and minty notes. Hints of tangerines, peaches and yellow apple, along with lime. Still some minerality and a clear Benromach footprint despite the absence of smoke. Then a mild hint of ginger as well.
Mouth: more sweetness, now a little more fudgy along with some raisins and sweetened herbal tea. Apricot and apple again. Then back to slightly tangy citrus and this chalky minerality. Liquorice and subtle mint.
Finish: medium length, with a little more peppermint, herbs, sweet malty notes and mineral echoes.
Peat, no peat… good spirit is good spirit. It’s nice to see the unique profile of Benromach still stands, even if you take the (light) peat out. Also, this comes at 46% ABV, which I’ve always thought should be the strength of the classic 10 too. Already available from the Benromach shop and LMdW.
While we’re at it, let’s add a quick review of a recent batch of the cornerstone Benromach 10 Year Old.
Benromach 10 yo (43%, OB 2024, sherry + bourbon casks)
Nose: oilier of course, with a lovely dustiness, more paraffin and hay. Also chalk and drier hints of pine and dusty barley. Just the lightest whiff of ashy smoke. Then some light peach and apple sweetness in the background, but far less prominent than in the unpeated expression. Perhaps a little more sherry-forward too, or so it seems.
Mouth: while the noses were clearly different, they are closer together now, I think. The mint and eucalyptus, citrus and herbal notes – all here as well. It’s only the ashy smoke and dusty note that comes a bit later that sets them apart.
Finish: slightly longer, now even more firmly on mineral notes and ashes. If you go back to the unpeated version now, it becomes really fruity.
Still a classic, rather approachable but also full of character. and flavour. This one is available from The Whisky Exchange or Master of Malt, among many other retailers. Score: 88/100