Benromach Contrasts Unpeated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The Contrasts series has brought us a bunch of Benromachs in different guises, from whiskies matured in air-dried versus kiln-dried oak, to virgin oak and Bordeaux casks. This edition was released in 2024 and arguably offers more contrast than the rest, being noticeably absent of one typical distillery characteristic - peat. It leaves way for a fruitier side to show - think candied pineapple and red apples. Matured in both Bourbon and Sherry casks, the limited edition comes bottled as a nine-year-old. 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

Other reviews... Is Benromach without peat like Jimmy Page without a guitar? Let’s find out... Colour: pale gold. Nose: well, this proves that Benromach’s character isn’t solely reliant on peat. It stays true to the distillery’s profile with a distinctive earthy quality, quite coastal with hints of clay and slate. There’s also a tiny touch of mustard and a note reminiscent of a certain Campbeltown distillery. Mouth: the richness of the 10-year-old makes a return, with leather, tobacco, ripe apples, and a smattering of dried fruits, particularly dried pear. Finish: not so different from ‘regular’ Benromach after all. Comments: I still prefer the 10-year-old, but this unpeated expression is both very good and intriguing. To be honest, there’s still a hint of smoke in there. 85 points - whiskyfun.com

...Peat, no peat… good spirit is good spirit. It’s nice to see the unique profile of Benromach still stands, even if you take the (light) peat out. Also, this comes at 46% ABV, which I’ve always thought should be the strength of the classic 10 too. - whiskynotes.be