Country: Scotland
Brand: Benromach Traditional
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Region: Speyside
Age: Not stated but said to be 5-7 Years
Alcohol: 40%
Date: 30/03/2012
Colour: Pale Straw/Sherry
Nose: Peat, Earth, Salt, Medicinal Alcohol, Charred Oak, Butter, Very Light Fruity and Floral Tones, Herbal Tea, Bit of Honey and a Touch of Lemon. Toffee and Vanilla after a while. The Peat and Earth tones tend to dominate. Being a Speysider, and with 20% of the spirit matured in Sherry Casks, I had expected more sweet (Sherry) tones. Still, although far from perfect, it’s an interesting nose.
Taste: Creamy and at the same time slightly watery delivery. Grains and Malt, Oak, Sweet Caramel, Lavender and a touch of Smoke. Again I had expected more Sherry.
Finish: Quite dry with a bit of Pepper, Grain, Licorice, Citrus tones and Oak, all covered by a light Smoke and Ashes screen that lingers on for quite a while.
With a couple of drops of water you get some more fruity tones but the Peat maintains its strong presence. The palate gets too watery though and the finish gets more Earth and a bit of Ginger and Sugar but loses the nice smoke. Instead you get wet Ashes.
Rating: 83
Nose: 21,5 – Taste: 20,5 – Finish: 20,5– Overall: 20,5 
Benromach Distillery
General Remarks: Benromach was founded in 1898 and today is the smallest active distillery in Speyside. In 1993 it was acquired by Gordon & MacPhail who renewed the distillery and reopened it in 1998. The Traditional expression was introduced in 2004.
Drinking Experience Straight: Good
Conclusion: This is a very young and earthy spirit. The Peat is very present. I liked the touch of smoke on the palate and the Ash tones in the finish. Very little harsh alcohol on the nose as well which I appreciate. I would have liked to see more Sherry tones however that would create a better balance with the omnipresent Peat. As it is, this spirit is certainly not bad but a bit too much one-sided for my likings.
Jan van den Ende March 2012
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