Skymecca
Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2007 (Batch 1)
Single Malt — Speyside , Scotland
Reviewed
April 3, 2022 (edited July 16, 2022)
I've very much enjoyed Benromach 10 in the past, so when I saw this Cask Strength version available for $40 at the local bottle shop, it was an instant buy.
This is nearly 58% with a lot of sherry cask influence and peat. There is a strong, leathery sherry note on the nose, along with some musty peat. The palate has some sweet orange blossom, the peat recedes a bit and the leathery sherry steps up. Unfortunately the finish is a bit peppery and bitter and I want to wash it away with a sip of water.
Overall I think this is less than the sum of its parts, but I've found that water can really help dial this one in. I've had different experiences depending on the amount of water and think that perhaps a balance exists here. But for now, it gets a slightly lower rating.
One edited note - the next day, the glass smells exactly like pancake syrup. If there was more of that in this dram I'd be over the moon.
40.0
USD
per
Bottle
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Yes, definitely hoping I can find pancake syrup in the dram itself. I revisited last night and couldn't locate it, but I didn't play around with the water after the initial drops.
I thought this was a little hot and bitter as well and needed water, but then I add water to almost all whiskies anyway, and definitely to cask strength expressions.
It's interesting how the dry glass can sometimes present an aroma that you completely miss initially, but once you latch onto that foundation note you'll pick it up on the dram in future tastings.