ralfy review 851 - Benromach 10yo @ 43%vol: (2020)

If you like my content you can buy me a 'wee dram' at / ralfy , thanks !
My Book 'Search For A Whisky Bothy' (Bothie) is on sale at all good book shops, and from my printer lulu.com .
www.lulu.com/search?adult_aud...
Great read auto-biography and malt-journey.
For more whisky info & stuff, SUBSCRIBE to 'ralfydotcom'
Subscribe to my other KZbin Channel 'Fitter Philosophy'
This video represents a personal opinion and perspective only.
To comply with Google Adsense policy this video is an independent non-profit review and is not selling or linking to a site that sells the product being reviewed.

[@gaoran6690]

the new bottle design of Arran made it looks worth 20 pounds more，and the new design of Benromanch made it looks 20 pounds cheaper

[@danw1086]

An advert for Benromach appeared on my Facebook page after the recent rebranding. I commented that I preferred the old packaging and that I wished they'd taken the rebranding as an opportunity to increase the bottling strength to 46% I had some quite snotty replies from a couple of individuals. 'Everyone has opinions but I should keep mine to myself' and calling me a 'baby' for suggesting their whisky would be better if it was bottled at 46%. I wondered why these two individuals were so bothered by a strangers fairly innocuous comment? So I googled their names. Both Whyte and Mackay employees. I commented that I was surprised that W&M employees would be so hostile to a customer giving feedback about their product. They deleted their comments.

[@manuelnaranjo3255]

W&M? Isn't Benromach G&M?

[@danw1086]

@@manuelnaranjo3255 yes you're right. I'm getting my initials mixed up. It was G&M employees I was having a dispute with.

[@crisco6583]

I love Benromach, but I hate the rebranding. Fortunately, I have old bottles that I can pour new bottles into! 😆

[@jrfishes]

Same

[@nguye578]

To all of the people hating on the new bottle and logo (to be fair I don't love it either), the old logo did look like someone drew it on using a Sharpie. And I'm glad that the quality of the whiskey is still intact. I've had some recent experiences with Lagavulin, Glendronach, and Old Pultney where you can tell that the quality has dropped off a decent amount from 5-10 years ago. Especially Lagavulin where the last bottled that I bought lacked the barrel notes to stand up to the salty brininess.

[@tonybolstad9514]

I agree, the old one wasn't particularly great. Looked like a generic supermarket brand to my eye. Can't say they've improved matters though.. 😅

[@theladymeed4157]

What a coincidence! I bought a bottle of this last week and am enjoying it very much. I am not so keen on the new bottle design either, but at the end of the day, it's the juice that counts, and it is wonderful, like drinking liquid gold. It's a little bit firey, but if left for a while, mellows out. This is my first bottle from Benromach, and I will now explore their other whiskies. Cheers!

[@fredlabosch5164]

Benromach's new design: Bottom shelf Bourbon.

[@Solocat1]

Haha

[@alexk3088]

True, kinda like Benchmark 8, only in different color. Cheesy. The previous style looked artisan and "handmade".

[@h.nguyen9992]

Won't buy again.

[@fredlabosch5164]

@@alexk3088 ...and it looked truly original and modern, and was an eyecatcher, had everything going for it

[@fredlabosch5164]

@@h.nguyen9992 It's still the content that counts ;)

[@vulgivagu]

I can not stand listening to wine snobs talking but I could spend all day listening to Ralfy talking about whisky. Strange world.

[@chrishoyt7548]

I like the barrel bit. Thank you Ralphy!

[@alexmil002]

Great video, Ralfy. Really looking forward to the extras. Re-branding is an interesting topic. Take care. -Alex

[@tonybolstad9514]

Benromach was one of the first single malts I tried. Did not enjoy at first, but after coming back 6 months later I realized how great it is, especially for the price! Such a complex palette and just the hint of peatiness. Really opens up a lot with water. I also enjoy Benriarch 10, probably even more than the Benromach. Ah so much whisky, so little time 🤣🤣🤣

[@gabrielluongo6363]

Thanks Ralfy. The standard 10 is a confusing one. Likely the most challenging I have had yet. Would love to hear one on Balvenie 15 Single Cask Sherry Cask, or a Glenallachie. Please keep on.

[@RaindanceBushcraft]

I never liked Benromach's old brand. I felt it was a bit underworked. But the new look is a jarring change for sure. I really like the way Arran re-branded, and how they found the perfect time to do it. I still haven't seen the new Arran in person here in Canada yet, but I just picked up a bottle (old design) of Arran 10. I agree with you about where the money has to come from for a rebranding. I know that some companies have to do it now and then, but I do wonder, sometimes.

[@bradl2636]

I've been waiting for this one.

[@uwkcal]

Ralfy! If you ask me Im a big fan of the old labeling on the benromach!! And its like you said why spend money on relabeling and different marketing when it can be used towards the casks and barrels and quality!! You are totally right! I am fortunate enough to have a couple bottles of the old labeling Benromach 10's and 15's!!! They will certainly be missed for sure!! Thanks for your review again and always!!

[@timjones990]

I recently ordered a bottle and thought I was getting the old branding, disappointed I received the new branding, good job the contents are delicious.

[@Ronsat]

Surely the old branding design is a more expensive one to produce. Particularly across the range. I like the simpler design. It will be easier to read nestling amongst other bottles of whisky on the shelf. I have had a bottle of the old Ten and as soon as I have the moolah will be buying this one.

[@rainerbrunn-countrybluespi514]

will give it a try soon, like the new design better and other reviewers say, it´s still very good.

[@jgisbo007]

Love Benromach. Very interested to hear about it more in extras. They used to be the best bang for your buck but now I’m worried they’ve sold out.

[@pierrebeauchamp7919]

In British Columbia, Canada, it’s a $65 bottle of goodness. A great value out our way! Could use a slight bump in abv to 46 but I believe it’s ncf going by mouthfeel and appearance in the glass. A gem out our way 👌🏻

[@4ll4nb31l]

I have to defend this Malt. Yes the new design is weaker but to lower it From 89 to 84 based on flavour is harsh. I think what is in the bottle is great whisky. Certainly deserves at least 86. This is still high quality stuff regardless the less savory makeover.

[@jbennison5672]

I agree. This can not be as bad as the Balvenie that he scored 83 a few years ago.

[@sorinsrn5442]

Im with you Al. I think this is one of the best 10 year core range in the market. Imho the package doesnt matter as long as the juice inside is consistent and same as good as before. Just as an info, the master distiller said in an video on youtube that the 10 year its just partially chill-filtered, "slightly'' in his own words. They never add colour and they make the spirit in the old school way, no automatisation what so ever and they age the spirit allways in top first fill casks. On top of that they age it in dunnage style wharehouses. 2 days ago i manage to get on sale 3 bottles of the old label, 20 euros each. If i had more money i would of taken a case :) this expresion will allways be on my bar. Top top stuff!!! Cheers.

[@archaic_huntsman]

Ralfy's point is fair, one should have skepticism when it comes to these rebrandings, it does cost money (speaking from experience). However, there is one counterpoint one should keep in mind. Labels, bottles, boxes etc do cost money. One might even say an outsized amount of money. The old "brand" was quite peculiar. "calligraphy" style font (probably custom), husky colour theme, reflective material on the box, I could go on. Basically, the old branding was without a doubt more expensive. The new one is plain, minimalist, therefore somewhat "modern" if you look outside this business. But it is also very likely that the packaging is now cheaper. While a rebranding does cost money, especially if they outsourced it to a fancy Media Agency with focus groups etc. it would have been. But I wonder if they wouldn't fairly easily write that cost off in the packaging savings in even just a couple of years. Bottom line, scepticism = good, but I have also seen successful rebrandings that saved more money for the company to spend it on their actual product instead of the packaging. More than once.

[@manuelnaranjo3255]

The old one had i. e. bottleprintings, very expensiv. The new one is really cheap standard. But both are outstanding to others, eyecatchers. Even they get my eyes bleeding 😉

[@tonybolstad9514]

Well made point.

[@tooslow1614]

Thanks Ralfy

[@delicatpizza3981]

I have just got the last "former" bottle Benronach 10yo @43%vol at "Lafuente" in Madrid. Spain. 89/100 Lucky me !!! The boy in the store has told me that all brands are changing. Sweeter and more sherry..... Ralfy:... You're Good You! ...You're Good You! ... :-)

[@atavachron27]

I recently bought the cask strength (from 2009 distillation) and absolutely love it. I actually think this particular rebranding is very successful. I love the new label/bottle as it really stands out vs the previous very doudy packaging. The cask strength is currently one of my top 5 whisky's. I stayed away from the 10 and 15 yr old bottles, due to them only being 43%. The cask strength at 57% really hits the spot and I had word from the distillery that they don't chill filter the cask strength version. Highly recommended.

[@rasklaat2]

Well, everyone is entitled to have an opinion. I don't like the current branding. It looks very generic and super plain to me. Like Benromach was an own supermarket, cheap brand of whisky, the very bottom shelf, like, not worth spending anything on proper graphic design.

[@sharpdressedman8109]

I really liked the old style better, but I am with you concerning the content. Therefore I treated myself with 3 bottles of 10 proof, 3 organics and a 10 y. That should be as many Benromach as I will drink in my lifespan.

[@jbennison5672]

Try the 10 year 100 proof, it's even better than the cask strengths in my opinion.

[@thegoatchild3545]

There goes another classic?🙄 Almost no peat? Don't like the sound of that. I'm glad I stocked up on the previous bottling, which is awesome, a wonderful contrast to the heavily peated Islays. Slainté your Ralfyness!😎🥃

[@markbrailsford2849]

Nice clean design, I like it.

[@michaellehner2164]

Good one. I get the 4 new ones delivered tomorrow

[@nacienlos70]

Hi Ralfy. An idea for your extras. Infuse whiskey with Lapsang Souchong to make it smoky. Cheers

[@reneerikolsen9694]

Great review - Interesting - need to try that one! :-)

[@spookytruth9307]

I have a few bottles of an imperial strength 10yo from a few years ago...cracking stuff!

[@sorinsrn5442]

Cheerish them becouse it has been discontinued. Indeed cracking stuff. I cannot find them anymore where i am. But the 10 is now on sale 20 euros(old label). Thats enough for me.

[@wormytom]

With tegard to the packaging. It looks to me like they've gone for cheeper graphics and boxes. This would free up cash for the one time rebranding without effecting quality, while saving money down the road. Or it shows that it's a distillery that has the bottom line as the top priority. I don't blame the distillery for that. It's more a symptom of the times.

[@spitti3]

This is a rebranding I cannot wrap my head around. The old design wasn't perfect but it stood out well on the shelf, had a unique feel to it. The new look makes me think of Russian Vodka, it's not appealing in any way.

[@greigmartin4339]

HEY BENROMACH! WHYTE AND MACKAY ARE CALLING FROM THE 1980'S THEY WANT THEIR LIVERY BACK!!

[@iancrombie8862]

I guessed 86!!!Only £28 on Amazon at the moment...worth a try I think...nice flavoured dram,if I remember rightly.

[@michaelmacleod5431]

Ralfy could you do a video on which bottles your recommend collecting and which ones you reckon we should try before they year is done all the best cheers 🥃

[@JohnsDrams]

I rather like the new look but then Benromach was always quite peripheral to my attention previously. Whether that factors into it or not I'm not sure.

[@JimmyLeg]

This is Ralfy's third review of 10yo Benromach at 43% abv. #'s 82, 511, and 851 Three different liveries.

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Have a Benromach peat smoke sherry (60%)that's very good, so very open to another expression. Some distilleries put me off on first bottle...and I haven't given them another chance. Jura! I'm looking at you.

[@welshtoro3256]

The 'Peat' Smoke Sherry was absolutely fantastic. Benromach are well worth exploring.

[@kevinmrn]

I made my own little advent calender buying small bottles, and hiding the label, blind tasting if you will. I also put some of my bottles in, including this old label Benromach 10 which was open for a while. I really enjoyed it, but it came across surprisingly peaty, I was completely off there... Are you still highly recommending the 15y/o? Might need to get some of that for Christmas.

[@witsch123]

I like Benromach, the old school style... my favorite is the 15yo. Thanks Ralfy, *slàinte* 🥃

[@mosesumike]

....✔️100% agreed....hey 👋🏼 buddy!....it's a brand new 21 out there. This would be the real challenge for both of us,...so let's do it ✔️👊🏼🔝...come on 🥳

[@mihkeltalts5347]

Not digging the design at all (i quite liked the previous golden box, and the metal tube before that was fine as well). The one thing that makes the box tolerable on my shelf is keeping the bottle near Benromach "Red Door" Gin (if you're into that), and a white box of Laga 8. It seemed rather OK to me this time around as well, looking forward to the extras vid!

[@RomainRiviere]

Can't wait for the Xtras

[@zadornov128]

Ralfy, any plans to review the rebranded Glenturret? The core range now has an age statement and a craft presentation, would be interesting to hear your opinion.

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . yes !

[@danhammer106]

This just plain baffles me - why would they need to change the prefectly fine presentation it had? The new one kinda reminds me of Southern Comfort. Oh well...

[@salamisaver]

To resemble the paint colors of the distillery... white and red, looks horrible imo

[@w00lf07]

Pint glass of water to hand...must be a steady session!

[@sav7568]

The focus adjustment is a little off today. It has been set too far short making Ralfy and the bottle a bit fuzzy.

[@Halliskyes]

I like the new design :)

[@timojarun7830]

You're probably very lonely person. ;)

[@tomtomtommyism]

Fantastic dram in today's market in the low £30s, but yeah a bit more body and 46% and I'd happily pay high £30s/low £40s

[@pasarelli]

well, at least 4 points more than Bowmore 12 !? Hard to understand that. And I'm slowly getting used to the new design. True love doesn't depend too much on outward appearances : ) I think they have oriented themselves to springbank.

[@jackcameback]

You probably will not reply, just wondering how you trained your taste / palette to recognize and distinguish all the flavours you talk about, I would be really interested to know how this can be. Thanks

[@dougdavey9782]

I live in southern Ohio. I drive by a stave mill and a cooperage almost everyday. The cooperage is named Speyside bourbon barrel

[@dougdavey9782]

Speyside Bourbon Cooperage

[@everwind5691]

Ralfy, I do have a question, if the rebranding is different juice in the bottle didn't the decision to do have to be made 10 years ago? Unless they decided to take out older stock or finish it differently? Just curious.

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . no, cask-finishing can be done in one month.

[@mic982]

I actually like the old branding better. Why did they change?

[@alessandromyer]

I know that whisky is, in many ways, medicinal but this packaging really looks made for a cough syrup or something

[@scotchgod8478]

If Benromach intended to change their bottle and package design from refreshingly individual, eye-catching and noble to conformist, average and cheap-looking, they did i really good job👍

[@pasarelli]

I think they obviously orientated themselves towards Springbank ....

[@bishopburnboy416]

Porosity , the ability of the wood to sook up the alcohol

[@welshtoro3256]

Nice one Ralfy, I think it's a good whisky but the 43% abv renders it a sub £35 whisky for me. It would be so much better at higher proof. £35 is the limit. I really dislike the rebrand. The new look is completely ordinary.

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . it is, very ordinary. A design disaster.

[@manuelnaranjo3255]

Ugly but outstanding on the shelf

[@stevepanter6024]

Puzzling and pointless repackaging apart, is the liquid also inferior to that of the Ben 10 in review 511 which scored 89?

[@drewboyd7508]

Good call. He could've watered down the old ask strength one and compared. Would've been interesting

[@WrighterHD]

Well considering this scored 5 points lower that alone should answer your question, right?

[@pasarelli]

@@WrighterHD Don´t no. After all 4 points more than Bowmore 12 (some time ago.) That doesn´t work!

[@DavidUKesb]

Lovely distillery to visit. Not really on the tourist trail so they have plenty of time for visitors. I have a 10yo cask strength fill your own from there. Not sure if they still do that.

[@kiscsicsak]

I was there last year. They don't do that anymore unfortunately.. :(

[@DavidUKesb]

@@kiscsicsak That's a shame. Did they say why not?

[@kiscsicsak]

@@DavidUKesb not really. They just said the Distillery Exclusives are there for substitutes.

[@rs0wner301]

Bra jobbat

[@malcolmgeffon8072]

Ralphy, how about an episode on casks, e.g., size, woods,etc?

[@jameshill80]

He's done a number of those over the years, just have a look through the archive 👍

[@Shane4Bass]

Hey Ralfy, what happened to the whisky of the year 2018 review? I quite like that review of the Benromach 10, but I can't seem to find it on your website!

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . It appears to have been removed with out my knowledge !

[@brian6x]

:(

[@groberti]

The older bottle looks much, much better

[@grantrennie]

Hello Ralfy 👋 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@garrettjanssen7683]

From 89-->84, interesting re-review. Seems the strident Benromach character got smothered by the casks. Curious to hear your thoughts on Balblair's rebranded 12yr.

[@RomainRiviere]

Aye aye

[@jbennison5672]

The 10 year 100 proof is excellent stuff. I agree the standard 43% is no where near as good. I'm talking about the previous branding versions.

[@Sc0t4]

Yo ralfy, I am buying the Ledaig 18yo and I also want to buy another bottle. Undecided whether to buy the Arran 18yo or the Glendronach 18yo. Which one do you recommend? Or another 18yo within that price range? Thks!

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . GlenDron18 !

[@Sc0t4]

@@ralfydotcom thks!

[@martindouwe6099]

Marketingwise very clever. Its the talk of the town.

[@fredlabosch5164]

Certainly not the talk of the town desired if aficionados state the content has decreased in it's distinctiveness and appears to be more bland now.

[@martindouwe6099]

@@fredlabosch5164 Is it?

[@fredlabosch5164]

@@martindouwe6099 You saw the review, you heard what Ralfy said

[@brego129]

Wow this rebrand. Looks like Soviet era vodka. Not mine, but saw someone use this to describe it, I laughed: Order of Red Banner of Labor Speyside Benromach Distillery

[@jesperpedersen12]

I like that one :-)

[@HerbertDuckshort]

At 01.29 Ralfy calls the Steampunker a magnifying glass? Is nothing sacred? 😉

[@MarcelB74]

I don’t like the new style at all, while the old style was pretty nice

[@chrisnolan7627]

Looks like a bottle of Old Forester. Wait till you see the new BenRiach branding, carbon copy of Old Forester!

[@mrboomslang8852]

Sorry ralfy it was 511 review of this whisky seven years ago! It was my malt mention

[@martinbeen]

Anyone here with experience with glen scotia 12 and/or 16 years old?

[@manuelnaranjo3255]

No, just the 10, 15 and Victoriana and some samples. As a fanboy i would say, if the price is ok and you know the style, buy them blind. Till today, i was never disappointed.

[@HistoryNiche]

The new branding for me gives the Whisky a more international brand feel. It is now adjusted for the foreign market mentioned EXAMPLE in India they couldn't read the hand writing on the old bottles. I can imagine this being popular in East Europe and Russia. It has the feel of a vodka brand for me. Those sort of connotations the new red and white rebranding.

[@alexk3088]

IMHO this is what happens when a company is concerned about sales (which may have nothing to do with quality or even current branding, just the reality of market conditions) and someone in management buys into the wizardry of bernaysian manipulative marketing, which is very questionable in terms of effectiveness, by the way. Instead of wasting money on tasteless labels they should've focused on getting into more markets.

[@danielwoodhouse8475]

I prefer the new branding, but I don't love it.

[@CorrezZio]

The redesign is just horrible, I guess they really wanted something completely different, and the money saved by cheaper packaging doesn't hurt either I bet.

[@hysaf]

You forgot to post the picture on Instagram Ralfy!

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . I will do that when the video goes public !

[@DavidMontgomery1]

I was not a fan of the old design, but this is even worse. Not sure what they were going for here.

[@alexk3088]

This new packaging looks like a milk container to me :) I try to ignore packaging for the purpose of buying decisions, but I certainly have my tastes and preferences and I liked the previous style better (of which I have a bottle waiting to be sampled). But I usually do research, so I'll typically already have some info before buying.

[@weichen7261]

I still enjoy more from Arran 10 yo. By the way Arran 10 yo also just branded.

[@bryan5884]

and is said to receive more sherry influence compared to old label bottling. If true, I don't know if I'll like it more.

[@weichen7261]

@@bryan5884 Arran 10 is better in my view. Decent, genuine, and very cheap from the producer except the stock is selling very fast.

[@ugurkolayli8081]

master ralyfdotcom dufftown of SinGleton 12 years old luscious nectar Whisky

[@victor1756]

Rebranding could be describe as a face lifting. I've noticed in so many businesses when they rebrand , a while after, they just go simply bankrupt

[@judgeholden849]

At this point I've seen enough ralphy to guess it was an "84" before the cards came out lol

[@ronprichard6145]

I too play 'guess the malt mark.'

[@dougdavey9782]

Yanks for the spoiled lol

[@scottyblog]

The new packaging is unfortunate. Let’s all hope what’s inside stays up to the same quality. Rebranding sucks almost all the time. There are a few exceptions.

[@ironmantran]

i actually PREFER the old bottle labelling ...

[@leroygibb9243]

Benromach’s label design team need dropping in the North Atlantic along with whoever signed this shit off.

[@Mr.Wrong1]

That new branding looks like it was perhaps based on an inexpensive supermarket bottle of vodka. How depressing

[@prestonw3878]

7:52 anyway back to the nose

[@scottyblog]

The new bottling looks like a Russian vodka bottle. I almost expect to see a hammer and sickle on the red and white front label. Wonder who was the marketing bloke that thought of it? He/She must have no imagination whatsoever.

[@olhemi1]

🙂☕👍

[@ericgilbert8114]

Love Benromach, but it's needs to be 46% Come on guys, people like me are buying and why I stick to the cask strength. It's always about the juice in the bottle and not the label. I notice the meatiness seems to have disappeared, hopefully it's a batch thing

[@stanislavmigra]

From 89 to 84. Not very well done Benromach. Not to mention that package.

[@alyr9640]

NO NO NO!!!! 😭

[@h.nguyen9992]

An ugly looking marketing packaging. How much did the design got pay ? LOL.

[@IcEMystPrivate]

First.

[@Peter_S_]

Interesting revisionism...

[@darrenbayliss3194]

Cheap design

[@remus8295]

so different are the opinions, i find the new design way more appealing than the old =)