Historically, Speyside whiskies have been among the most sophisticated and complex of Scotland’s Scotch whisky expressions. Typically, these whiskies would have a peated component ranging from very light to noticeable combined with both sherry butt and ex-bourbon cask maturation. This “touch of smoke” was a signature element of Speyside malts in the 1960s and 1970s.
The results were nuanced, complex whiskies that offered a range of aromas and flavors. That’s why Speyside malts were usually at the heart of many blended Scotch whisky expressions.
Over the last several decades, however, many Speyside distilleries have discontinued the peated aspects of their malts, preferring to produce lighter whiskies that emphasized floral and fruity elements, as well as the nutty and dried fruit elements associated with sherry butt maturation. These styles of Scotch whisky, while very flavorful to single malt enthusiasts also, unfortunately, lost some of the complexity and sophistication of the classic Speyside style.
Benromach is a historic Speyside distillery that over the course of the last two decades has returned to its classic Speyside roots. Built in 1898, by Duncan McCallum and F.W. Brichman, it is located in Forres, Morayshire in the Speyside region. Its water source is the Chapelton Spring, drawing water that has percolated down through the sandstone and granite below the Romach Hills.
The distillery passed through several owners before ending up with Associated Scottish Distillers Ltd (ASD) in 1938. ASD eventually morphed into Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd, a subsidiary of Distillers Company Ltd (DCL). DCL would go through several additional acquisitions before ending up a part of beverage giant Diageo.
The distillery was modernized between 1966 and 1974, and continued to operate until 1983. At that time, it was officially closed. Over the next decade, large amounts of the distillery’s equipment was cannibalized for other distilleries.
In 1993, the Urquhart family, owners of the specialty Scotch whisky bottler Gordon & MacPhail, acquired the distillery. Over the course of the next 5 years, the distillery was further updated. It was redesigned to permit its operation by a single individual and its stills were modified to allow it to produce the historic style of Speyside whisky.
The distillery was officially reopened in 1998, by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. In Scotland, the Prince goes by the title the Duke of Rothesay, a title he has held since 1952. Prince Charles signed the first cask of Benromach’s new production. That cask has been aging for the last 20 years, and is now being released.
According to a distillery’s spokesperson:
Benromach Cask No. 1 is an incredibly rare and limited-edition expression taken from the first cask that was laid down when the distillery reopened after many years of closure. The cask itself was signed by HRH The Duke of Rothesay, Prince Charles, during the distillery’s official reopening ceremony on 15 October 1998.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary celebration of its purchase of the distillery, the Urquhart family has announced that all profits from the sale of Benromach Cask No. 1 will be donated to charitable causes.
The whisky was bottled on August 21, 2018, exactly 20 years after it was filled. It is being released at cask strength and carries a vintage date of 1998. A total of 575 (700 ml) bottles were produced. This rare expression of a classic Benromach malt will be sold exclusively through the Distillery’s Visitor Centre. The SRP is £1,000 or approximately $1,300. Pre-orders can be placed from September 3, directly with the distillery. Decanters will be available from October 15, 2018.
According to the official tasting notes that accompanied the release,
Benromach Cask No. 1 was matured in a first fill sherry butt and has a sumptuous vintage character of rich fruits, smooth chocolate and warm spices, with hints of zingy citrus, coffee bean and charred oak.
Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, joined as a distiller in 1998, and was present both when the cask was filled and when it was signed by Prince Charles.
I was proud to witness HRH The Duke of Rothesay sign the first cask of our own distilled spirit 20 years ago. This unique single cask offers whisky lovers the chance to own, savour and share an incredibly special moment in the history of the Benromach Distillery.
Benromach Cask No. 1 is a treasured bottle and is the oldest and most exclusive whisky to be launched as part of the Classic range since the distillery was revived. Part of our Classic range of Speyside single malt scotch whiskies, it offers succulent blackberries and stewed damson plum with a hint of roasted hazelnut and charred oak on the finish.
The whisky is bottled in a decanter and is packaged in a striking, double door, wooden presentation box. Each decanter displays the distillation and bottling date, as well as the date the distillery was first established – 1898. The decanters are closed with a copper stopper, reminiscent of Benromach’s gleaming copper stills.
All 580 decanters are individually numbered and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager.
According to the distillery:
A beautifully written hardback book accompanies the whisky, themed around the idea of firsts, which captures the time-honoured craftsmanship employed in every spirit cut and hand-filled cask of Benromach, beginning with Cask No. 1 and continuing today with every cask that is laid down.
Benromach is one of only a handful of distilleries in Scotland that still use traditional methods, without resorting to any automated machinery. The small team of distillers rely on their own senses and their long experience when selecting the cut points for crafting their classic Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. They manage the process by “sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste."
For more information on Benromach, and to explore the wide range of expressions available, please visit: www.benromach.com
Tasting Notes
The following tasting notes were supplied by the Benromach distillery.
Pour your dram of Benromach Cask No. 1 and prepare your senses to encounter an experience as rare as this gorgeous whisky. First, lift your glass to the light and appreciate the beautiful deep golden hue created by lingering for many years in a single First Fill Sherry Butt as the whisky grew and matured in character. Take a short inhalation, appreciating the wonderful aromas without water…enjoy the rich notes of stewed raisin and plum, mingling with sweet vanilla, milk chocolate, cinnamon and clove. Traces of sweet fudge and zingy orange peel develop with lingering roasted hazelnut.
Now take a sip to experience deliciously sweet and creamy notes with a hint of cracked black pepper developing on the tongue. Tangy orange marmalade, smooth chocolate and roasted coffee bean complement hints of rich fruits and warm spices, leading to charred oak on the finish. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops… top notes of sweet vanilla and butterscotch aromas mingle with raisin and hints of lemongrass. Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… a creamy sweetness combining with milk chocolate, baked apple and cinnamon.
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