Malt Mission 2007 #83

Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
45% abv
£28

Benromach distillery was built in 1898 in Forres, near the mouth of the river Findhorn. Very difficult to find as a single until Gordon & Macphail bought the distillery in 1993. It is only since 2004 that the current owners have been releasing official bottlings and they have been anything but disappointing.

Things of note about this, the smallest working Speyside distillery:
-Malt is peated to 12ppm
-fermentation is unusually long (115 hours)
-stills are heated by steam plates
-spirit receivers are made of wood

The core range includes Benromach Traditional, 18 yo old, 21 year old, 25 year old, cask strength 1980, vintages 1968 and 69, Port Wood finish, Tokaji finish, and the first fully certified organic single malt, Benromach Organic. The later bottling has been so popular that keeping up with demand has been a real challenge.

This malt is just 5 years old and finished for an additional 27 months in casks that previously held Sassicaia wine. Sassicaia is a super-Tuscan wine, which, in my non-wine educated mind, means it is fancy. It is apparently quite expensive and sourcing the cask could not have been an easy task. More here on Sassicaia.

TASTING NOTES:

Jammy vanilla french toast. Berries and malt, oats. Lively with youthful vitality. Distinct smoky waves over the fruitiness.

Peppery and fruity, marmalade, cooked fennel, sweet and satisfying in the mouth. Moves from deep, very ALIVE flavours, to a slightly drying finish decorated with wood smoke.

SUMMARY:

This whisky taught visiting friend Beth the distinction between 'smoky' and 'peaty'. A finish that is interesting and unique without ever silencing the presence of the malt whisky, just accenting it. Clever use of young spirit and posh wine casks = good value.

Malt Mission #81
Malt Mission #82
Malt Mission #84
Malt Mission #85

Malt Mission HOME