Benromach Distillery, Scotland     founded: 1898 | active
For more detailed mapping of the distilleries in the area from our whisky map page, use this link.

Earthy and natural our olfactory organs switch to floral mode taking in freshly cut grass, wet pine and geraniums. This wetness is not unsweet and offers a fruity bite with watermelon, grapes and oranges bunching together in the grass. Beneath this natural pile dry loam, hazelnuts and the bitterness of tea lurk, perhaps with a dash of honey or molasses for flavour? Definitely a stroll through the woods.

As the wood finishes (geddit?) we're immediately much sweeter. Bacon with maple syrup steams on the plate, with an almost treacle toffee strength. Fruit gums are on the agenda and Sugar Puffs product-place themselves on display, though there's a creamier side too with cough syrup and double cream playing as a rare team. Things get more exciting as our tongues prickle with paprika and popping candy as, the sweetness over, lime pickle squeezes the mouth and English mustard washes like rainwater over this slightly salty ending. As the final phase kicks in we remember the nose with moss and coriander bringing us back to nature.

The syrup from before follows us into this short sherry finish, again a blast of spice with cracked pepper and tequila fades to green herbs and stewed tea. Our walk has been pleasant but not the best and we can barely remember where we went if we're honest.

~£32 (70cl)

Benromach Finishes (Tastings)   |   http://www.whisky-pages.com/notes/distillery.

We've always scored out of 10 in our group (see number in red box, below), with scores regularly given across that spectrum. The value out of 100 below is adjusted to the scale most commonly used for whisky reviews, to allow for better comparison.

73 / 100