Benromach rose to fame in the last few years with the re-release of the Benromach 10 and the addition of the 10 yo 100 proof and 15 year old expressions to their line up. But in addition to those releases, there were also some young releases like the 5 yo and different wood finishes (all below the 10 year old barrier). The latest of those releases is the Benromach Sassicaia 2007 which follows the Sassicaia 2006 that was released a year ago, making it an annual release of some kind.

The Sassicaia 2007 was initially matured in First Fill bourbon barrels before a two years finish in Sassicaia wine casks from the region of Bolgheri in Tuscany.

Benromach Sassicaia 2007 (45%, £44.68/€54,47)

Nose: Youth notes at first, lots of cereals, sweetness from the wine is lurking at the background but then comes the distinct red fruit notes. Fresh berries and plums, light and sweet with sour edge, vanilla too. Oh, there’s some soapy perfume too after a while and additional fruitiness and muted spices that reminds me sherry influence.

Palate: Sweet spices and dried berries, oak spices, vanilla and creamy cereals. Then bitterness and pepper, sour fruit and wine tannins.

Finish: Medium long length with lingering sweet and sour fruitiness, wine tannins bitterness and dryness.

Thoughts: The active first fill bourbon casks did their job to ‘quicken’ the spirit before applying the wine impact and the result is a nice whisky with a nice combo of sweet wine fruitiness and a robust Benromach spirit.  A nice addition with a different look to the Benromach lineup.

(Official sample provided by Benromach distillery)