Benromach Cask Strength - Vintage 2012 review

Whisky Review 

Benromach Cask Strength - Vintage 2012   

ABV: 59.6%

RRP: £60-70

"Plenty of sweetness, but evenly mixed and balanced by its savoury counterparts. It is indeed, a very good whisky. "

Benromach, home to one of the only whisky rebrands within recent years that I'm actually a fan of. Yes, I'm talking about you Talisker, Glenmorangie and GlenAllachie, all of which have rebranded to a worse label design, in my humble and unimportant opinion. I remember owning an old version of Benromach 10 yo many years ago and, being a fan of the liquid, I was keen to revisit this speyside malt, but this time at cask strength. Distilled in 2012, I think back to this being around the time I probably had the old presentation Benromach amongst my (much smaller) whisky collection. 

This 10 year old was matured in a combination of bourbon and first-fill sherry casks, before being bottled in 2022 at a fantastic 59.6%

Nose: It packs a powerful punch of an aroma. Green apples and apple cider vinegar. There are cranberries and raspberries, orange peel, along with some subtle sweet cereal notes. Almost like a fruity granola, but there is some spice, charred oak and a faint presence of peat.  I'm noticing each time I revisit the glass I'm getting something new. Almost like the fruit and cereal notes have been acknowledged and now allow the additional characteristics to come to the forefront. There is a touch of engine oil, but its making me think of changing an oily bike chain as a child, rather than the oil we place in our cars. Its strange how the mind works. Why am I revisiting a memory of no major significance within my life, and one which has lay dormant for 30 odd years, but tonight as I explore the aroma of this whisky, I'm revisiting memories of being a child on my old council estate. Anyway, time to dive in....

Taste: Slightly waxy and thick on the mouthfeel. Forest fruits with tobacco and leather, hinting at a great selection of active sherry casks. There is plenty of pepper and spice to send the tongue tingling. The fruity granola notes I had on the nose are also present on the palate. Its either nutty or oaky, I cant quite place which is the more dominant here, although I understand these two tasting notes are often confused. I'm getting orange peel on the palate too, showing that this whisky's character has great continuation from the nose through to the palate. It finishes with a lovely dry wave of ashy smoke, reminding me of a cask strength Caol-Ila type of ash smoke finish. 

Score: 

7/10

Benromach have knocked it out of the park with their cask selection on this one. You get a wonderful balance of liquid with influence from both the bourbon and sherry, without either dominating and overshadowing the core characteristic of the whisky. Plenty of sweetness, but evenly mixed and balanced by its savoury counterparts. It is indeed, a very good whisky. I am keen to explore more from Benromach on the back of this great bottling.  

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Kilkerran 8 yo Sherry Cask 2024

 Whisky Review 

Kilkerran 8 yo (cask strength - sherry cask)

(Glengyle distillery, 2024 release) 

ABV: 57.4%

Maturation: Oloroso sherry casks

"Now transported positively to the coast. But whilst there, we have cigars and ash smoke. If this were to be called a cigar malt, I'd be in agreement."

Nose: 

It has a powerful punch on the nose, offering maritime notes alongside the usual Campbeltown funk or peat aroma. Possibly one of the strangest tasting notes I think I've come across, but I'm being transported to an old swimming pool I used to frequent as a child on the coast of Whitley Bay in the North East. I've no idea why, but as I go back again and again with my nose I'm getting this memory and aroma every time. I know I'm not selling it, but that chlorine, heat and warm air is what I'm getting from this. Confused, I conduct a quick Google search to find chlorine contains sodium chloride which is found in nature as rock salt. So the coastal character is certainly prominent for me. Anyway, moving away from the science and swimming pool, I'm getting cherry sweets, caramel and a faint touch of engine oil. 

Taste:

So I've sampled this particular release on a few occasions now. I had very high expectations being a real Kilkerran fan-boy. I was somewhat, not disappointed, but it felt anti-climactic when I first opened the bottle, thinking I preferred the heavily peated and the 16 year old way more than this. I wasn't sure what this was bringing to the party, apart from the standard kilkerran maritime character, which is great don't get me wrong, but as stated, I had high expectations. However, being patient, allowing the bottle to breathe and showing patience with this one, its really developed wonderfully. On the palate your met with an immediate salty coastal wash. I've moved away from the swimming pool aroma and now transported positively to the coast. But whilst there, we have cigars and ash smoke. If this were to be called a cigar malt, I'd be in agreement. Strong tobacco and a touch of spice. Not much fruit showing its presence for me. The finish is dry but long with that ash smoke lingering. My wife (to be) will hate my breath whilst I drink this, I best keep some mints nearby as this is truly lovely!!

Score: 

7/10

This was a really tricky one to score. I hate half scores, I like to commit. But this is as close to between a 7 and an 8 as it gets. Its very very good. Its great value if you are/were able to get it at retail price ~ £60. For a banger of a cask strength Campbeltown whisky in today's market, its 100% worth your time and money, and if you can find it at retail, I'd recommend it. However, is it a 'must buy' or an essential 'grab at all costs?'. No. Is it much better than the more readily available 'heavily peated' range? No, is my answer. I'm really glad to have this dram and I look forward to trying my Kilkerran collection side-by-side sometime, maybe even in a blind drams session to really explore them in more depth. An idea for the future, maybe if I manage to procure the elusive Port Cask release 8 year old which has been on my wanted list for some time now. 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Bunnahabhain 12 yo

  Whisky Review 

Bunnahabhain 12 yo   

ABV: 46.3%

Maturation: 

"It's a dram you mustn't underestimate. Its ABV is welcoming at 46.3% but you'd be wrong to class this as an everyday sipper."

Nose: 

Wonderful on the nose. I get Dairy Milk caramel chocolate, prominent notes of salinity and general coastal character. Hazelnut and dark fruits transported from the strong sherry influence on this dram. The colour is a wonderful auburn shade and you can see the thick texture of the liquid as it swirls in the glass. I could enjoy smelling the aromas of this dram all day. 

Taste: A lighter texture on the palate than predicted in terms of thickness, however the alcohol fizzes away at the tongue as the hazelnut and oak influence take initial dominance. Once the dram settles (and your tongue dies), you again get caramel, chocolate, hazelnut and a hint of spice. The maritime salinity is there, as the palate matches the nose perfectly with this dram. The finish is dry but very not too much in my opinion. It just invites you back.  

Summary: Widely available in the UK at £40-45 you really cant go wrong with this whisky. An unpeated Islay which exudes quality and maritime character. The sailor certainly warrants his spot on the front of the bottle. It's a dram you mustn't underestimate. Its ABV is welcoming at 46.3% but you'd be wrong to class this as an everyday sipper. Take time with it, enjoy it, explore it, because there's much to enjoy here. 

Score: 

7/10

Well priced, readily available, full of character. What's not to love here?  I hear Bunnahabhain struggle with batch differences but I've not noticed this yet personally. This bottle has only got better with time. I understand the cask strength version did very well in the 2023 OSWA's, but I'm personally yet to taste that. As I sit typing this review, I'm enjoying the time out that's its allowing to sit back and truly enjoy this wonderful dram full of character. 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Kilkerran Heavily peated - batch 06

 Whisky Review 

Kilkerran Heavily Peated - batch 06 

(Glengyle distillery) 

ABV: 57.4%

Maturation: ex bourbon and ex sherry

"if you like a smoked, cask strength, complex dram at a decent price, this one is for you!"

Nose: 

There is good balance between the sherry and bourbon cask influence. Those funky, soily, earthy notes are showing prominence along with engine oil, marzipan, grapes and raisins. There isn't much smoke apparent on the nose, but the Campbeltown funk is certainly there. 

Taste:

Thick texture, it gives a coating to the palate. A hit of dried fruits and youthful character. Its very dry and quite bitter, with engine oil again. A little water brings out the maritime character but it doesn't need much at all. Salinity mixed with earthy notes. I'm getting more sherry cask influence on the palate as the sweet tones have taken a back seat, making way for more dried fruits, hazlenut and dark chocolate. The peat smoke finish is wonderful. Heavily Peated? I wouldn't say so. But, its very enjoyable. 

Summary:

This whisky has great depth and complexity. The maritime character is calling out loud enough to gain attention. I'm a Kilkerran fan and this batch 06 heavily peated certainly doesn't disappoint. I think i prefer it without any added water, but either way its a wonderful experience. 

Score: 

7/10

If you like the maritime character of peated Campbeltown whiskies, you will enjoy this. Whilst this is batch 06 and they are now on batch 09, I understand the batch differences are minimal. So if you like a smoked, cask strength, complex dram at a decent price, this one is for you! 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Glen Scotia Victoriana - review

  Whisky Review 

Glen Scotia Victoriana (2023)

RRP: £65-75

ABV: 54.2%

Maturation: Heavily charred oak

"Notes of maritime salinity and sea breeze. Very coastal, sweet and inviting"

Nose: 

Sweet on the nose. Vanilla fudge with caramelised sugar. Some notes of maritime salinity and sea breeze. Very coastal, sweet and inviting. I don't get any smoke or peat on the nose here. 

Taste:

Slow to develop on the palate for me, but once it does, the sweetness is the first thing to grab my attention. Some spice and salt are starting to get the tongue tingling and now come the dried fruits and caramel. Something is triggering the memory bank here. I'm getting oysters. I think its the sea salt influence with the added hint of spice is reminding me of having oysters with tabasco hot sauce. 

Summary:

Dry on the finish with a terrific waft of smoke, wood and sea salt. A dram which offers depth and complexity and a healthy offering of coastal smoky character. 

Score: 

7/10

A very good whisky. Campbeltown character on full display. The Victoriana gains a good reputation amongst the whisky community for a reason. Prices have started to creep up for this bottle, possibly as a result of its growing popularity and this has been factored into my personal scoring here. It's not quite enough for an 8 as its not a show-stopper and the price would put me off a re-purchase unless found in a healthy sale, but its got enough character and ticks too many of the boxes to be considered any lower than a 7. Lets agree on a high 7! :)

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Deanston 2008 12yo Oloroso review

  Whisky Review 

Deanston 2008 12yo Oloroso

RRP: £70-75

ABV: 52.7%

Maturation: Oloroso

"Very dry and warming with dark fruit and spices evident throughout."

Nose: 

Strong dark fruit influence. I get black cherries and dark chocolate. Something mocca-esque here due to the creamy and chocolate notes. Treacle and brown sugar evident in the background with a touch of spice. 

Taste:

The oloroso jumps forward to present immediate sweetness and warmth on the palate. After that, the spices hit and start to stimulate. Dark fruits and chocolate again. The spice is either nutmeg or cinnamon. Something quite festive about this for sure. 

Summary:

Very dry and warming with dark fruit and spices evident throughout. Definitely a winter warmer in my opinion. Fruity and Spicey. 

Score: 

7/10

Its a very good whisky which has unique qualities. A festive winter warmer. Certainly one worth checking out. I cant score this higher than a 7 as I don't feel its a stand out show-stopper. Its also better than a 6 due to its unique qualities and one you would want to take your time with when you pour a dram of this offering. Worth checking out! 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Raasay distillery release review

 Whisky Review 

Isle of Raasay - distillery special release (6813)

ABV: 52%

UK retail price: £85

Maturation: Peated ex-rye whisky cask and finished in ex-oloroso and PX quarter casks

"I'm keen to try more from Raasay after this very respectable introduction to their releases"

Nose:

Gentle and light, the first aroma gives off notes of summer fields and heather. There are some spices kicking around, aniseed and nutmeg I think and a touch of black pepper. Some golden syrup and a background presence of smoke trying to hide. Lets go in....

Taste:

Spices shoot to the forefront here. Black pepper is present again on the palate, battling it out with the sweet sherry influence. Its balanced and complex. Lots going on with each sip. The finish is smoky and dry with added spice. Some BBQ notes arise within the smoke to add a further dimension and texture to this fine dram. 

Summary:

I'm really impressed. For what must be a youthful whisky, it's pleasant and gentle despite its abv. It doesn't require water in my opinion as you get all the complexity and depth just fine without further dilution. 

Score: 

7/10

Its dam good whisky and I'd buy this again. Slightly biased on this bottling as this hold sentimental value for me. Having not long been engaged, my fiancé and I began the search for a perfect engagement ring. On the day we bought it, obviously both delighted, we then walked a few yards to the nearby whisky shop where i was presented with the opportunity to try a few free drams prior to purchase. This was the winner and I bought this bottle for £85.  Regardless of the sentiment, I'm keen to try more from Raasay after this very respectable introduction to their releases.