For years, us whisky enthusiasts have been moaning about presentation, and it seems distilleries are finally listening. Laphroaig, Jura, Edradour and now Benromach are all stepping up with better bottlings, and today I want to talk about a release that has genuinely got me excited.
The new Benromach 12 arrives at 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered. In short, it is exactly the kind of nerd presentation we have been asking for, and it is set to become the distillery’s new flagship.
Full transparency before we go any further. I managed to get this bottle early through being a Benromach champion for 2025, and while these are entirely my own thoughts, I want you to have that context. If it is a sticking point for you, I completely understand.
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Being the peasant pourer that I am, though, let us jump straight in at the price, because that is where this release really shines. At £45, it slots in right alongside the likes of Glenallachie 12, Arran 10 and Glen Scotia 12. That is genuinely accessible, and I am always here for whisky staying within reach of all of us.
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This is exclusively matured in first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry casks, using both butts and hogsheads. The idea is to let the distillery character work with the sherry rather than being swamped by it, and for the most part it succeeds.
On the nose, you get glorious jammy plum, cola cubes and a wedge of smoke that I can only describe as a gingerbread house on fire. On the palate it turns into a properly oily, juicy affair. Tangfastics melting in a warm car, chip shop curry sauce, charred oak and a pepper grinder heat. This is proper Benromach. It is dirty, funky and dangerously drinkable.
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READ THE STORYFor me, the closest comparison is a Springbank 15, another dirty sherry funk bomb, though this one is fresher and a touch more mentholic. Fans of Craigellachie 13 or the Kilkerran sherried releases will feel right at home too. Within the growing Benromach lineup, it sits deeper than the 10, rougher than the softer 15, and not quite as throat-punchy as the cask strength.
On my scale, I landed at 7.7 for the nose and 8.2 for the sip, which rounds up to a solid 8 overall. More importantly, it is very fairly priced and represents an exciting step forward for the distillery. So, is Benromach a distillery you want to see more of, and has this one reached your market yet?
To hear my full thoughts, check out my YouTube video.
