Review by: Raygun

Had a fair amount of Benromach and they’re one of the more reliable distillers out there in my experience. Sure, it might be nice if the core range was upped to 46%, but with the number of single casks and special releases, I won’t complain too much. Not many representatives of this moderately peated style, and it’s a shame. Never had a Polish oak cask before, so I wouldn’t have known what to expect even if it hadn’t been blind. According to Benromach’s website, Polish oak has long been known to be great for whisky, but I don’t know anyone else who’s used it–maybe they just didn’t specify, which is entirely possible. Rested about 10 minutes. Notes from fully blind tasting, with additions in italics a few days later after reveal. Reviewed from a sample.

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Distillery: Benromach

Bottler: Benromach

Region/style: Speyside single malt Scotch

ABV: 58.6%. Cask strength

Age: Just shy of 11 years. Distilled on November 21, 2011, bottled on October 31, 2022. Extra-spooky whisky.  

Cask type: Polish (virgin?) oak cask #772, 263 bottles. Update: according to Benromach, the cask previously held fortified wine. They didn’t say what kind.

Color: 1.4 tawny. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

Price: Around $130

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Nose: The color suggested very sherried (if it’s natural color), but not so much on the nose. Orange zest, plum sauce, caramel, and some earth. A hint of peat, possibly?   

Palate: More sherry influence, I’d say. Or a red wine cask? I could see that, too. Dried fruits, orange, plum sauce, and some soy sauce. A nice savory edge that again makes me think there’s some peat here. Has some spice to it, too. 

Finish: More berry flavors. Now I don’t think it’s sherry. Red wine, maybe port. Still think it’s peated, but not at a very high level. Nice texture here. Subtle umami, like tomato skin. Spices reminiscent of Indian food. 

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Guess: Around 56-58%. Red wine or port cask. 12-14 years, I think. Still feel like it’s got some peat, which makes it a puzzler. Not peated enough to be Port Charlotte, I don’t think. Nor Longrow. Benriach maybe? Yetit doesn’t taste as peated as their peated spirit either. More like Benromach level, but I can’t think of a Benromach wine cask. Might be an odd single cask I’ve never heard of. 

Post-reveal thoughts: It is Benromach! And it is an odd single cask, and moreover an odd cask type. Never had Polish oak before. Now that I have, I’d like to see more of it. Somehow comes across like a wine cask even when it’s not (I assume). Fun stuff. Got very close after all; pretty pleased with myself. 

Conclusion: I like it. Nice fruitiness and the spice complements it well. Very balanced, though there is some heat to it. This sort of thing is right in my wheelhouse. Not the most complex thing, but has that quality of making you want another sip. Goes down very nicely. 

Buy a bottle? This is one I might grab. Very distinctive.

Score: 83

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)