Benromach Contrasts: Double Matured [Chateau Cissac Bordeaux Wood Finish]
flavorcamp
June 14, 2024
2 min reading time
TL;DR: If you like a contrast of red fruits and moderate smokiness, Benromach Contrasts: Double Matured is for you.
Benromach Contrasts: Double Matured expression, is aged first in ex-bourbon followed by 5+ years in premium Bordeaux casks for a total of 12 years of maturation, capturing the influence of premium Château Cissac red wine casks, balanced by a hint of the signature Benromach sweet smokiness.
Flavor Camp Taste Profile
Overall Rating
Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: 7/9
Taste: 7/9
Finish: 3/5
Distinctiveness: 4/5
Overall Drinkability/Balance: 7/9
Value for Price: 6/8
Appearance: 4/5
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Red Gold; The Bottle itself stands out on a shelf; we love the Benromach rebrand, it's so much more eye-catching than the former identity.
- Aroma: Moderate smoke, rich with juice red fruit, sweet baking spices (cinnamon), pepper, vanilla, slightly sulphurous/earthy/musty contrasted by a subtle floral note (rose).
- Taste & Mouthfeel: Moderate viscosity, nice integration of smoke x fruit, dark chocolate, tobacco/cigar box, raisinated fruits (prunes), dried figs, more black pepper & vanilla
- Finish: Long, mouthwatering and peppery.
- Distinctiveness: That sweet smoke level definitely screams peated Benromach.
- Overall Drinkability & Balance: A rich profile; this would be perfect to sip near a fireplace on a cold winter's day.
Product Details
- Distiller: Benromach Distillery
- Type: Single Malt (Peated)
- Age: 12 Years (Distilled in 2011; Bottled in 2023)
- Still Type: Copper Pot Stills
- Cask Type(s): First-fill Ex-Bourbon then Chateau Cissac Bordeaux wine barrels
- Origin: Speyside (Forres), Scotland
- Composition: 100% Malted Barley
- ABV: 46%
- # of Distillations: 2
- Price: $115ish CAD
Comments / Notes:
- There might be some confusion for customers around the Contrasts range, as the Benromach Contrasts: Organic is unpeated whereas this expression is peated. That being said, we’re fans of pretty much all of the releases from Benromach; at the heart, they create well-crafted distillates.
- Crushable / Daily Drinker
- Cocktail Worthy
- Special Occasion Sipper Only
- Weird & Wonderful
- Skip It
Food Pairing Recommendations: Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner or Chicken Cordon Bleu, sharp cheeses, chocolate cake.
Cocktail Recommendations: Not sure we’d want to put this into a cocktail; best drunk neat.
