La Maison Du Whisky Artist #14 Benromach 2014 Aged 10 Years

Style: Sweet, Tropical and Smoky

Rating: ☆ [Recommended]

Nose:

A heavy flurry of frosting sugar snows down onto bright tropical fruits, producing a sumptuous sweetness from the outset. Vanilla, pear drops and navel oranges combine beautifully with a whisper of peppermint, while subtle touches of ink and wet minerals are laced quietly into the core. Peat smoke diffuses slowly through the layers — sugary malt sitting comfortably at the base, anchoring the entire aromatic display.

Palate:

Similar to what the nose has suggested — sugary tropical fruits unleash with considerable force, abundant oranges and ripe pineapples surging forward on the spirit, hallmark traits of an excellent first fill bourbon cask at work. Vanilla, graphite and sawdust circle the malty core in steady orbit. The oak asserts itself with greater stringency while the peat smoke rises quietly to match it. Wafer biscuit crumbs and barley husk emerge back-palate, with white pepper arriving at the end.

Finish:

The expression amalgamates and evolves into something resembling chocolate malt, the tropical and citrus elements hymning gently beneath the surface as peat smoke lingers with unhurried persistence. Nice.

Thoughts:

Benromach has become one of the latest fashion trends and this single cask expression offers persuasive evidence as to why. A beautiful bourbon cask that shines so brightly yet does not diminish the distillate and complements it very well. Young, feisty and bursting with energy, this carries a bold, charged persona that commands attention from the very first nosing. It may verge on the overpowering for some, but I find it immensely enjoyable.

[Independent Bottling | 60.4% | 2014 Distilled | 2024 Bottled | Cask Number: 394 | First Fill Bourbon Barrel | 238 Bottles | Single Cask | Cask Strength]