Review by: Raygun

This is a Taiwan exclusive, the first batch from 2017. Cask blend isn’t stated, but a sizable percentage of sherry from the looks of it, which fits the Taiwanese market for sure (sherry casks are very popular). Although it is from 2017, I got it on a visit to Taiwan in 2019. Since then there have been a few more batches. Rested for 10 minutes.

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Distillery: Benromach

Bottler: Benromach

Region/style: Speyside single malt Scotch

ABV: 58.9%. Cask strength

Age: 12 years. Bottled in 2017

Cask type: Unknown, although Benromach boasts of using only first-fill casks. I’m sure a significant percentage of sherry in this one.

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

Price: Was about $70

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Nose: More smoke than I usually find in Benromach, like incense specifically. Sweet and sour sauce, sour cherries, and spent match. Tomato paste, figs, and some mushroom earthiness.

Palate: Dates, cherry hard candies, roast pork, plum sauce, and brown sugar. Never had this kind of meaty flavor from Benromach. Reminiscent of Chinese cha shao (barbecued pork), with that kind of sweet flavor. Still pretty fruity. Some chalky minerality.

Finish: Meaty here too. Cha shao or roast ham with cherry glaze. Got some prunes as well. Actually, maybe closer to Chinese sour plum. Burnt match. Nice touch of fruit and subtle smoke. Tomato sauce and coriander. Really nice here.

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Conclusion: Haven’t actually had the 10 CS, but this not just the same thing aged two more years. It is probably closer to the 15, with a substantial portion of sherry casks. But of course amped up at cask strength. Not sure why this isn’t a broader release. They seem to have the stocks for it and it definitely fills a niche. But maybe they’re working on expanding the single cask program, and that’s welcome, too.

Buy again? The insane value has to be mentioned. Sometimes pops up on sale for less than $60, though I paid about $70. Still hard to beat as a value proposition. I’d certainly consider another batch on a future trip.

Final Score: 82

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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)