Benromach Contrasts Peat Smoke 2014 Sherry Cask Finished Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml

Benromach Contrasts Peat Smoke 2014 Sherry Cask Finished Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml

The Benromach Contrasts Peat Smoke 2014 Sherry Cask Finished Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a beautifully balanced whisky that harmonizes rich, sherry-cask sweetness with peated intensity. Distilled in 2014, this limited-edition release is initially aged in bourbon casks, then finished in sherry casks, which adds a layer of fruity richness to its robust smoky character. Crafted in small batches at the Benromach Contrasts Peat Smoke in Speyside, this whisky is a unique take on peated single malt with a complex depth of flavor.

• Brand: Benromach
• Type: Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Volume: 700ml
• ABV: 46%
• Distillation Year: 2014
• Cask Type: Sherry Cask Finish

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Aromas of smoky peat with layers of dried fruit, dark chocolate, and a hint of spice from the sherry cask influence.
• Palate: Smooth and smoky, featuring notes of raisins, figs, caramel, and vanilla, with a subtle peppery spice.
• Finish: Long and warming, with lingering peat smoke, sweet sherry notes, and a touch of oak.

Key Features:

• Sherry Cask Finish: The sherry cask finish adds fruity richness and complexity to the peat smoke, enhancing the whisky’s depth.
• Small Batch, Natural Quality: Crafted in small batches and bottled without artificial coloring for an authentic, natural character.
• Distinctive Speyside Peat Style: A unique expression of peated Speyside whisky with a sherry cask twist, ideal for whisky enthusiasts.

Other reviews… This sherried variant is brand new while the malt was peated to 55ppm this time, a rather Tufnelian move. Colour: gold. Nose: we’ve come much closer to the regular 10 this time, with these lovely acetic, meaty and very fermentary notes, with some Tabasco, onion soup, Worcester sauce, then dried fermented fish and touches of hoisin sauce. Would you please pass the Peking duck? Mouth: ah, hurray, good dirt! And cracked pepper, leather, tobacco, Grisons meat, cold-smoked German (or Alsatian) sausage, marmalade, coffee and cocoa dregs, cinnamon and paprika… A lot of action in this one again. Right up my alley. Finish: long, with a little more toffee, raisins and bean curd. Comments: not a peat bomb at all but this time it is clearly ‘ smoky malt’. Excellent wild composition, on par with the fantastic regular 10 in my book. 88 points – whiskyfun.com

…Nose: A smoky and heady sherry greeting. Black treacle and orange peel draw you towards the aromatic end of things; a tobacco pouch, beeswax, sandalwood, damp leather and woodshed. There’s a savoury side too and, helped by the smoke, it comes off a little like bacon crisps. Time and a drop of water brings a little plum and dried fruit along with the citrus theme. Palate: The smoke, spice and sherry all arrive in decent and balanced proportions, but none are particularly compelling. A jagged sharpness existed on the first glass or two from the bottle, but that’s been tempered in the open bottle. It’s softer than I remember from the uncorking. Black pepper has moved to softer spices such as cinnamon and a little background char. There’s a heavy and dark honey laced with sweet oranges amongst a pot pourri of sweet and ripe citrus. It has a medium finish that dries to a slight bitterness. – dramface.com