Benromach Peat Smoke 2008

Benromach used to release vintage expressions for their "peat smoke" bottlings. I have had the 2006 one, and that was pretty interesting, so i was eager to try this 2008 one. Bottled at 46%abv, pale straw color. On the nose it is peaty and herbal. Plastic, mint, herbal and cotton candy. It has this impressive coffee bean aroma. Iodine. Very nice. On the palate it is good, but way too simple. Coffee, bitter dark chocolate and toffee. Aftertaste has a standard peaty profile. Peppery, earthy, metallic. Overall, this dram was nice, but nothing to die for. It felt simple and maybe a little boring; the 2006 expression was way better. My score for it is an 83 over 100.

Quite enjoyed this one. All the good aspects of a Speyside with apples, vanilla and honey with a campfire smoke that isn't overbearing but noticable. 46%ABV from first fill bourbon casks, non chill filter and no added color. It's been done properly.

Nose: very liqueur-like, unusual for whisky really, next to the ethanoly fumes there is a bid of chocolate and cinnamon - all in all sadly not very enjoyable. The peat also isn’t really taking any place and is barely noticeable if at all. Strange. It is more a smoky kind of experience. Palate: intense and characterful, sadly the alcohol doesn’t leave much space for fine nuances to be discoverable but it for sure is different and very unique. Very spicy and not at all sweet. A bid of water really does it good. Improves the nose, palate and finish significantly. Definitely makes it much more approachable by bringing out a nice malty sweetness. Interesting. The late and long finish is very nice - the best part of this whisky in my opinion. Wow, what a curious dram that was. Interesting for sure but highly subjective and challenging. Really hard to get behind the likeable aspects of it. It definitely worth a try.

Rauchig, salzig, leichte schärfe, Abgang nicht sehr lange aber ok

Light, only flavor is a bit of peat