On a very warm day in August, the WeeDrammers gathered at Ron W’s to sample another two of Scotland’s finest. This time, we revisited Speyside, home of greatest number of distilleries in Scotland including the two best-selling single malts whiskies in the world (neither of which we sampled on this occasion). Speyside has been producing single malts since the early 1800’s and today is home to dozens of the finest single malts in the world. Typically, the drams are fruity, sweet and nutty. Apple, honey, vanilla and spice prevail. Tonight we tried a classic example plus an unexpectedly peaty dram; unusual but delicious.
On the menu were GlenAllachie 15 year old (winner of the World Whiskies Awards Gold medal in 2022) and The Benromach 15 year old coming from a smaller family owned distillery that has been in the same family since the early 1990’s
First up was the GlenAllacie 15 yr. old. Bottled at 46%, this dram is a rich mahogany in colour with a nose presenting “‘waves’ of heather, dark chocolate, sweet spice and cinnamon.” On the palate walnuts, raisin, fresh ginger and Xmas spices prevail. The finish hints of coffee and flaky sea salt. So say the Whisky Exchange.
Bottled out of a combination of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks, the dram is smooth and rich in character.
Second up, the Benromach 15 year old offers a slightly smoky alternative with “chocolate,
caramel and wood smoke tickling the nose”. On the palate, “raisins, baked apples, cinnamon and mint leaves ooze their way through the spicy peaty smoke”. The finish “leaves the impression of a tingling menthol, leafy mint and cocoa”. The Whisky Exchange says this about the Benromach 15 – “While peatier than expected, with the smoke wrapped up in fruits and chocolate, the dram is supremely well-balanced with a long and leafy finish.” Or, if one wanted to wax poetic, “a gooey, everlasting slightly under baked(in the best possible way) orange short-bread of a whisky that’s also been gently kissed with black pepper and vanilla…”
To compliment the whiskies, Ron served an array of small morsels. Nuts – walnuts, almonds and cashews; smoked oysters, smoked gruyere and a soft brie served with crackers, B’BQ pork marinated in grainy dijon, olive oil, honey and balsamic served with sliced baguette, baked salmon swirls and a delicious green apple coffee cake (both thanks to Linda).
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There was no ‘winner’ on this evening. Perhaps it was closer to a 50/50 tie as to which dram was preferred. It is doubtful that either would be returned or exchanged should the situation occur.
And that was a wrap on Drams number 129 and 130 in the ongoing quest to sample all Scotland has to offer (within a modest budget of course). It will be interesting to see what’s up next when the group gathers in late September.
