Last February, the Benromach Distillery Company Ltd. has revealed one of their rarest expressions to date, Benromach 35 Years Old, an exclusive whisky crafted at the distillery before the Urquhart family, owners of leading whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail, revived it in 1998.

Handcrafted using the finest natural ingredients at the Forres distillery, Benromach 35 Years Old is an exceptional whisky with real heritage and an original tale or two, having been laid down to mature in the 1980’s.

The bespoke decanter style bottle protecting the precious whisky is encased within a wooden presentation box, reflecting the various elements which have gone into making the whisky; the copper stills, the dark, grained wood of the original washbacks, and the white of the limewashed distillery walls.

This rare whisky, dating back to a time before Benromach was restored in the ‘90s, exudes the heritage of the Speyside distillery. Created under the watchful eye of Donald MacDonald, former Distillery Manager, the casks this whisky was matured in have long been a part of the Benromach history. Willie McArthur, former malt man and warehouseman, was one of the workers responsible for protecting the precious casks remaining in the bonded warehouses.

Benromach Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank said:

“Benromach 35 Years Old is a very special whisky for everyone at the distillery, as very few casks of Benromach remain from this time period. Benromach today is created respecting the traditional working practices of yesteryear and is lovingly handcrafted by sight, by sound, and by touch, using the finest natural ingredients.
The 35 Years Old is the perfect dram to toast the past, present and future of Benromach.”

(Benromach 35 Years Old is available to purchase at specialist whisky retailers with an RRP in the United Kingdom of £425. Prices may vary in international markets due to duty and import taxes.)

 

Benromach 35 years old comes at 43% ABV

Nose: Yay, this nose seems like a trip to Disneyland or Cooney Island to me – reminds me of all those funfairs’ fragrances: very fruit-forward with plesant creamy and sugary notes. Hints of donut dough, bee wax, cooked orchard fruits, whipped cream, tropical fruits and citrus. If Winnie the Pooh and Homer Simpson (maybe he’s thinking about growing some interest in whisky and adopting a more refined lifestyle…) were to set up a joint venture and design a dram (What? why not?! Can you please let me dream, I know they’re not real persons… I just wish they were… Well maybe not Homer), there are some great chances this Benromach could fit the bill in terms of flavour profile.

Palate: Balanced, rich and elegant. The expression shows pleasant notes of figs clafoutis, nutmeg, summer berries jam, orange, cinammon, sweet spices, vanilla, oak and if any of you remember those… Apple Minis cereals (yes, I know, Winnie the Pooh and childish cereals… I’m still 8 years old in my mind and I’m perfectly fine with it).

Finish: A real treat with apple cider notes and bitter orange.

Pssst! Find the recipe here!