Take a relatively lower profile and small Speyside distillery, pair it with owners who know a thing or two on whisky and what do you get? Right, Benromach Distillery.

The Benromach distillery was bought by Gordon & MacPhail in 1992 and re-started whisky production in 1998. In 2009 they started producting the BenRomach 10 Year Old which became a huge success and is the first Benromach whisky reviewed on this blog.

This timid looking Benromach is aged in 80% Bourbon barrels, 20% Sherry hogshead for nine years with a final year in first fill Oloroso casks which should give it a nice sherry and sweet touch, especially if it’s finished in good sherry casks.

Benromach 10 Year Old (43%, £29.28 / €41)

Nose: Quick sniff reveals oak wood spices and some smoke which then immediately turns to full blown vanilla & sherry with dried fruits & berries notes. Once it calms down there are nuts and biscuits coated with rich dark chocolate. A very good and mature nose.

Palate: oak and spice, nutmeg, dried berries and semi-dry feeling.

Finish: Dry and short with nutmeg, oak wood spices and espresso.

Thoughts: Now now, where this little gem was hiding? Gordon & MacPhail did wonderful work with Benromach and this is quite a little lovely monster which feels much more mature then some other 12-15yo I’ve tasted. A friend who tasted it said: “It’s probably the best 10 yo 43% I have tasted recently” and I totally agree with him. It’s sub £30 whisky so my recommendation is: get a bottle.