Benromach 10 Year Old
Sometimes a whisky takes you by surprise. I thought I knew what to expect from Speyside — the sweet, fruit-forward drams that have defined the region for decades. But Benromach has other ideas. This 10 year old sits somewhere altogether different, a throwback to an older style of Speyside that's become increasingly rare. I've been curious about this distillery for years, ever since I visited on that road trip through Scotland mentioned on my about page. Let's see if it lives up to the memory...
Bottle
The Benromach bottle is clean and classic without being flashy. It's a straightforward design that lets you know this distillery isn't trying to win you over with gimmicks. The simple label is clear and informative, with just enough detail to tell you what you need to know. There's a quiet confidence here — the bottle doesn't shout, it simply states its case. I appreciate that.
Colour
This is naturally coloured whisky, and it shows. The colour is a lovely amber gold that speaks honestly of its time in bourbon and sherry casks. There's something reassuring about knowing what you're seeing is real, not enhanced. At 43% and with no chill-filtration, Benromach is making a statement: we trust our whisky enough not to mess with it.
Nose - Sweet vanilla and fresh apple lead the way, like biting into a toffee apple. There are dried fruits from the sherry casks — raisins and perhaps a hint of fig — alongside creamy malt and barley sugar. And then, just in the background, there's a whisper of smoke. It's subtle, more of a suggestion than a statement, but it adds an intriguing dimension that sets this apart from typical Speyside fare.
Palate - The sweetness continues with orchard fruits — apples and pears — and creamy malt. There's a lovely oily texture that coats the mouth, and gentle spice builds with hints of pepper and ginger. The sherry influence brings dried fruit and a touch of chocolate, while that delicate smoke weaves through everything without dominating. It's remarkably well-balanced, with the 43% ABV delivering smooth, rounded flavour without any harshness.
Finish - Medium length, with sweet malt and gentle spice. The fruit fades gradually, leaving a slight drying quality and just a trace of that subtle smoke lingering pleasantly. There's a touch of liquorice at the very end that rounds everything off nicely.
Overall
Benromach 10 year old is a beautifully crafted whisky that reminds me Speyside wasn't always about purely sweet, unpeated drams. This is classic Speyside — fruity, malty, approachable — but with just enough smoke to add complexity and interest. The peat is handled with a light touch, enhancing rather than overwhelming the fruit and sweetness.
At around £40, this is great value for a 10 year old single malt that's naturally coloured and non-chill filtered. It's the kind of whisky that works equally well as an everyday dram or something to savour on a special occasion. I'm delighted I finally got around to properly reviewing it, and I suspect this won't be the last bottle of Benromach in my collection.
Typically available for around £40