Benromach Contrasts Air Dried Oak Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl

Benromach Contrasts: Air Dried Oak is a limited-edition 10 year old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2023 at 46% ABV. It spent its decade in virgin American oak casks made from staves that were left to air dry outdoors, giving a sweet, peppery and gently smoky dram that shows how much wood shapes a whisky.

About the distillery

Benromach is a small Speyside distillery near Forres in Moray, founded in 1898. Gordon & MacPhail took over the site in 1993 and restored it, reopening it in 1998, and it remains one of the smaller working distilleries in Scotland. The Contrasts range explores how different wood treatments change the same distillery character.

How it’s made

The spirit was made from lightly peated malted barley, at around 12 ppm, and matured for ten years in virgin American oak, the first time this wood has been used for Benromach. The oak was dried outdoors in Missouri for two years before being made into staves and casks. Bottled with natural colour.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Sweet vanilla fudge with mixed citrus, oak and a thread of smoke.
• Palate: Cracked black pepper, then citrus, toasted cereal, fresh garden mint and oak.
• Finish: Lingering hints of smoke.

How to enjoy it

Enjoy Benromach Contrasts: Air Dried Oak neat to appreciate the contrast between sweet vanilla and peppery spice, or with a few drops of water to open up the citrus and mint. Benromach suggests tasting it side by side with its Kiln Dried Oak sister release.

Details

• Type: Speyside single malt Scotch whisky
• Region / origin: Speyside, Scotland
• Distillery: Benromach
• Cask: Virgin American oak (air dried staves)
• Age: 10 years old (distilled 2012, bottled 2023)
• ABV: 46%
• Volume: 70cl

Please drink responsibly. This product is intended for customers aged 18 and over.