ralfy review 941 - Benromach 2012 Cask strength @60.2%vol:

[@bekemdangiu]

Love your quote "Scotch whisky should be a hobby that never becomes a habit"

[@mouradbaly641]

Great review Ralfy, and brilliant words of wisdom: "Scotch whisky should be a hobby that never becomes a habit." Cheers mate!

[@djbeacon6895]

ralfy, got lucky about 6 months ago in picking their 2009 CS, 4th Edition at just over 57%. So enjoyable and my first Benromach.

[@TheAndyPeacock]

You’re the gift that keeps on giving, Ralfy! Ordered two bottles on the back of your review, and I’m thoroughly enjoying my first wee nip tonight.

[@kesfitzgerald1084]

Benromach's label is small fry when compared to Glenallachie's Flintstone label font. Addition: I see the issue with Benromach's label is that it all too often says 43% on it's standard bottlings.

[@sorinsrn5442]

43 is better then 40, imo.

[@Halliskyes]

but not good enough

[@MrLachlanmackenzie]

I've had this in my basket (together with a 15 year old Glencadam white Port finish) and I'm happy that my gut feeling about it was right.

[@davet7185]

Wonderful Ralfy; definitely a contender for my fast approaching 60th birthday!

[@JimmyLeg]

Couldn't care less about branding but every CS Benromach I've had has been an absolute belter. I hope to be able to try this one soon.

[@bettinau.erichkulling7642]

We agree 100%. Just two weeks ago we bought a bottle in the distillery. Greetings from Palatinate, Germany

[@leroygibb9243]

The flavours wrap up and carry the high abv superbly when you get into this whisky. Fantastic CS dram Ralfy 👌🏻

[@ZacChastain]

I’m enjoying a pour of Benromach CS 2007 Batch 1, 58.2% as I watch. A wonderful whisky!

[@utoobia]

I’ve got this bottle as well. Excellent. Looking forward to a head-to-head taste with the 2012.

[@gordonduff22]

Would love to get myself a bottle of that Benromach: the cask strength one at 60.2%. Sounds like a great whisky to stock up on and sip by the fire during those long winter evenings soon to come. Almost worth the flight over to Scotland to get one and bring it back in the luggage. With lots of protective wrap of course! I think that's allowed. Cause that's the only way I'm getting one of those bottles from where I live in southwestern Ontario. "It's just not going to happen," as you often say, Ralfy. All the more reason I should get cracking and get on with that trip to Scotland while there is still a few bottles left of the good stuff. Great episode.

[@ralphthomson2680]

Springbank of the north. Love Benromach.

[@Johnstone72]

Man, lessons learned. Sunday on Patreon I watched your vid Ralfy. Monday I was rushing about at work. Tuesday I remembered about it.....Sold oot~sold oot~sold oot. Found it on some Pie and Bean website......sorry "obscure" website. God only knows what will turn up. Ralfy speaketh.....Whisky goneth!!

[@davidcalderhead2894]

Ralfy you said several times the branding of Benromach is criticized by some. Shouldn’t malt lovers really only focus on what is in the bottle? In other words, save the money on branding and make great whiskey with the savings. I hope I can find this bottle in the USA, it is on my list now!

[@phillewis3108]

Whilst watching the video, the number “looking at this item” at an online retailer went from 0 at the start, to 5 by the end. So I bought one quick! (I don’t mind the branding, but I’m a newbie.)

[@shrugg6593]

I didn't know this was possible at this price... I've enjoyed 2 tastings. Both long enjoyable sessions adding limestone filtered spring water as I went. Neat: The nose is light. Apple, maple sugar, figs, dried fruit, vanilla, cedar and a hint of dairy, buttery? The first sip was amazing. A phenolic blast. Medicinal, antiseptic. Lightly resinous, but not unpleasant. Followed by a sweet sugary, fruity finish. Slightly bitter and astringent, but sweet like raw bee pollen. Complex but accessible and inviting. A very smooth experience that evolves in the nose and on the tongue. Take your time with this one... Ralfy is absolutely correct. I've spent more money on a single glass that wasn't as memorable... Thank you Ralfy!!!

[@itatane]

I believe very strongly that if you go from wanting a drink, to needing a drink, it's time to pack it in. I use the same principle for pipe smoking. When I no longer can sit and savor a bowl of rich Cavendish once a week or so while sipping a malt or malternative... When it becomes a habit that masters, the brier goes in the bin, and the latakia goes down the loo. By the way, the off white sugar used in baking that you mentioned... Would you be thinking of Turbinado?

[@antonazarov7971]

I have experienced recently Highland Park Cask Strength Batch No 2. What a journey to explore gradually diluting from 63 to 40% ABV - such a range of changing profile, and in the end - still better than chill-filltered expressions. From my perspective, both the higher ABV and absence of chill-filtration are equally important for the quality of the experience.

[@FerNightwalker]

Great review Ralfy! My experience with Benromach was very positive, it is one of the malts I enjoy the most, unfortunately they are not always available in my local shops, so whenever I see a bottle I don't hesitate to take it with me. I'm looking forward to compare the new bottlings with the pre rebranding editions. Cheers and thanks...

[@cameronshine3465]

very nice review ralfy. Best bet is to walk into a bottle shop and eyes on the whiskey, look for a bottle that has a haze to it. A very good change your going to get a nice tasting whiskey.

[@MrJBLH]

Got a bottle of one of the batches of this on a slight discount a while ago, sounds like it could be time to crack it open soon. As a side note taking my first trip to Scotland soon, going to be visiting Campbeltown and Tobermory. Excited.

[@Ebril]

The Benromach signature taste is arguably the one that I have found most exciting in Scotch whisky. I've been on a malt journey for around 7-8 years and still to this day the Benromach Imperial 10 y/o bottles were my favourite. When they changed to their CS offerings to Vintages I felt the finishes was shorter. I and the people I've shared my bottles have felt the difference in balance is night and day (despite being able to tell you were still obviously drinking Benromach). When they rebranded, the peat got too assertive and overpowered the stewed fruit notes. I've emailed them my thoughts and had nothing back. I'm now very hestitant to buy arguably my favourite brand in Scotch sadly. Very frustrating. I've not tried the particular vintage and batch you reviewed Ralfy so this review gives me some hope and thank you for it.

[@Ebril]

A follow up for anyone reading this. I now have a bottle of this vintage and sadly I feel it demonstrates a continued push away from the balance of the older bottlings I mentioned. It's still good whisky, I just don't think it's special anymore. I'm done with Benromach unless someone gives me a sample that blows me away sadly.

[@thetezz0001]

Fantastic video ralfy

[@carlossandiego7925]

Ralfy a contrarian? Nah. 😆 Looking forward to the OSWAs announcement on Thursday.

[@shrugg6593]

I ordered a bottle the night you released this review, Shipped from Great Britain. It just showed up! Three day shipping to Phoenix, AZ? Amazing. I'll be enjoying a wee dram afterwork, I'll add my experience after... when I've had a few...

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . you will be rewarded for your patience.

[@shrugg6593]

@@thewhiskybothy for the price, it would have to be absolutely awful for me to complain. A quick sniff of the cork... looks really promising.

[@shrugg6593]

@@thewhiskybothy I didn't know this was possible at this price... I've enjoyed 2 tastings. Both long enjoyable sessions adding limestone filtered spring water as I went. Neat: The nose is light. Apple, maple sugar, figs, dried fruit, vanilla, cedar and a hint of dairy, buttery? The first sip was amazing. A phenolic blast. Medicinal, antiseptic. Lightly resinous, but not unpleasant. Followed by a sweet sugary, fruity finish. Slightly bitter and astringent, but sweet like raw bee pollen. Complex but accessible and inviting. A very smooth experience that evolves in the nose and on the tongue. Take your time with this one... Ralfy is absolutely correct. I've spent more money on a single glass that wasn't as memorable... Thank you Ralfy!!!

[@carlubambi5541]

You forgot the most important thing about scotch .It's medicinal,pain killer ,Blood thinner ,Food flavour enhancer and embalming fluid all at the same time

[@scrimmy45]

I really enjoyed that review Ralfy and fully agree about the branding but at least it's easy to spot on the shelf in a good whisky pub !

[@domanz1]

Thanks for letting me know about this, I'm laying low in all things whisky because... well apparent geopolitical and financial reasons, but this was a must buy. Have not tasted it but between your review and whiskybase ratings, for that price... a no-brainer. :) Thumbs up and my best regards.

[@DavidUKesb]

Very underrated distillery. Often overlooked by the follow the fashion brigade.

[@stevebelser4698]

Love the review. Hope I can find a bottle here in North Carolina...

[@joanlyoung1]

Hey, Rolfy old kid! I just bought a bottle of 17year old Craigellachie. Simply Gorgeous, just like you. Thanks for the recommendation sweetheart!

[@xiamengbaby]

I just picked up Benromach 2007 cask strength (~11 years old) about a week ago on a 10% off sale. I paid $63 in the Chicago area. I heard some west coast stores had it as low as $40 to $45. At that price, it's an absolute steal. At $63, with the current prices of other peated cask strength single malts, I felt it a decent price. After having a couple drams, I might go back and get a backup bottle. Is quite good!

[@TimHoekstra]

Just opened this. Wow, what a dram. Definitely worth it.

[@utoobia]

I got through 2 drams of my first bottle before I bought three more. It is a big beauty of a whisky.

[@utoobia]

Finding the sweet spot around 50% for me. Just getting better and better. Also did a side by side with my 2007 CS, and the 2012 is a little better.

[@phillewis3108]

Don’t forget Scotch eggs and tablet!

[@seamusbryans3289]

Lovely review. I visited Benromach distillery a few years ago. 👍 Just to help you out as age has you confused on occasions 😂 A medical measured teaspoon of liquid medicine = 5ml

[@sashidemedia]

thanks for the MM!

[@DrinkinItIn]

A hobby that never becomes a habit. Am gonna use that on my channel and in real life (giving you full credit of course).

[@michaelgonzalez347]

A hard one to find in the US. I was able to find a Cask Strength at 57.9% for $84, US dollars. Sounds like a great bottle though

[@terrortower666]

I’ve just opened the cask strength 2010 batch 1 version. Easily one of the best whiskies I’ve tasted this year. Absolute gem

[@timford8315]

I’ve just ordered a bottle of this, that review was just too good for me to miss out trying it. But I had to go to 3 or 4 online retailers to find stock.

[@alexharrington44]

Everything over 46% from Benromach is a winner, the Abbey single casks are phenomenal if you haven’t tried them.

[@ishaanbhardwaj8992]

just picked up a single cask release for my local liquor store and was decently impressed

[@lxiaspb]

Considering chill filtration. Here in Lithuania there are excellent not filtered and not pasteurised beers. Those beers create another feeling of tasting a beer. Getting used to such beers for a longer period of time, you will get severely disappointed, if you taste other "normal" mainstream beers. The same applies to, let's say you drink Kilkerran heavily peated batch 5, (dropped with water) for a longer period of time, and then they say to you drink Caol Ila 12. You will get the same disappointment. There is a clear difference between chill and not chill filtered whiskies. Even for amateurs like me.

[@IsleofWightBushcraft]

Thank you ralfie for another integrity review, I must get a bottle or two

[@babydavey2782]

Well sounds good non chill filters sounds good

[@davidelourenco2537]

another one for the "solitaire draming" list. Cheers!

[@jeffreykasel3387]

Hi Ralfy, what are your thoughts on the independent bottler Blackadder and their Raw Cask line? I just stumbled upon them this year. I have their Peat Reek Raw Cask and a 16yr old Ledaig Raw Cask. They're both fantastic! I really love the idea of not filtering and leaving in some of the barrel char with the natural fatty oils from the whisky. How come I don't see a lot of reviewers reviewing this brand (not just KZbinrs). Maybe Blackadder Raw Casks are just hard to find or people are afraid of the barrel char...lol.

[@JoaquinKFC10]

I rather like the new branding. It's robust, simple and transparant. Have the 2009 batch 4 opened now, delicious!

[@Fisklina]

I've really enjoyed the Benromachs I've tried. At the moment I have this, and a 2010 Single first fill bourbon barrel which is lovely. Personally I have nothing against the branding since it has nothing to do with why I buy whisky or any other delicious liquid. And on a side note. Wouldn't 95,6 % be the highest you can destill alcohol to since it's an azeotrope at that point?

[@CosminSandu2907]

When you think that 2012 is ten years ago. 😱

[@whiskynotes9326]

Recently bought the contrasts organic 2013, 8yo. Matured in new oak. Very good but very sweet

[@AudioheavenDenmark]

It's a fantastic whisky and a very potent rival to the springbank 10 cask strength and a substantial lower price. Love both of them. But just had a cask strength battle between the 2. And found the benromach to tell me more 🎉

[@MrFlyby34]

That is if you are able to buy a Springbank…..

[@AM4N18]

I don't suppose you remember how much you had been buying it for? It's currently £70 but I'm sure it was a fair bit less a year or so ago? Might be wrong.

[@bluesmanen1]

It's gonna be released in Sweden tomorrow, Thursday...gonna try to get my hands on a bottle. The price here will be 799sek (~€78)

[@patrikwmc]

I got hold of one…😊

[@bluesmanen1]

@@patrikwmc Me to😀

[@patrikwmc]

@@bluesmanen1 👌

[@itnaklipse1669]

i really liked the old branding of Benromach and to be honest this is very unappealing. But last from them i had was the organic one, i forget the age, maybe there was no age mention, but it was very flavoursome and really liked it a lot. Benromach is one of my favourite distilleries, even if i've had only two bottles from them, and the other was the standard 10yo. Liked your comment about the water.

[@alexandermitev5189]

the benromanach 2009 cs was my whisky of the year last year. it was amazing and also amazingly priced in germany, hope prices dont go up. I have now the 15 year old on my radar, curious about your review of it!

[@geo5291]

Goddamn it... it was not my independent bottling I recently acquired. Great food for thought, ty Ralfy. Benromach is one of the malts I have least experience in.

[@davidm_shaw]

Would love to see you do a review of one of the Benromach Contrasts series which I believe come in at 46% and UCF. That would make a nice trifecta of a series. Please and thanks.😊

[@AM4N18]

Ralfy, nice review. I was however hoping you'd mention what the price was, you almost got there on a few occasions. I'm seeing this now at £70 but I came back to your video to see what it was at time of filming as I feel like it was lower previously. Can you remember? Or, anyone else watching remember what price it used to be a year or so ago? Thanks

[@WhiskeyFancies]

I have one of the older Cask Strength bottlings 11 years old. I wanted to love it but it has a bit too much sulfur taste to it. I'll go back and try again but I'm a little disappointed.

[@jamesbarbour5303]

They should keep the new branding. You don’t need a steam punker to spot it in a bar shelf. If people don’t like it then they know what it is. The old logo got lost Your cap and coat is not to everyone’s taste but we know it’s you Benromach are in the same position The CS is a great whisky in any bottle and the slight difference between the 2009/2010 and 2012 version is interesting Is springbank CS better? If you can actually buy a bottle. The version I tried was not as good. Benromach good value and available.

[@robfut9954]

The only place that bottle is helping sell extra drama is Russia or China. Looks like Stalin designed it.

[@intothefeints8506]

Benromach has a ton of potential.

[@timthewhiskynut477]

Ralf, you've introduced the standard 10yo as un-chill filtered at the start of this new video, when you spent most of review 939 blasting it for being chill filtered!

[@farshadp6114]

Greeting Mr Ralfy, I see the whisky name in the title and straight in google search. 😄 Luckily I can get this one here for $150.

[@philiptruitt]

Thanks Ralfy!!

[@jensrichter8378]

Am I a minority? I absolutely love the new branding. The old one was awful. The "hand written" paint directly on the bottly looked like methanol based liqueur from east asia. This one is much more understated. The simple look leads me to think that the money has gone into the product instead of the package. (although I understand that rebranding is expensive)

[@DrumondArt]

Agree! I like the new design!

[@utoobia]

It’s not a great look, but I agree it’s definitely an improvement!

[@WhiskyJapan]

I think this branding is better than their previous.

[@DayKlight]

great dram, still have an older vintage, but it will defenitely be replaced when its near empty :)

[@Vykk_Draygo]

Thinking of demerara sugar, perhaps?

[@blablaogist]

Drinking the 2009 version right now. What is it with Benromach Cask Strength? I often forget it is actually the best Whisky in my collection ;)

[@gman5986]

How does anyone who's had the Benromach Cask Strength 2012 59.6% batch 3 compare to this batch 1 ?....................cheers!

[@robfut9954]

Here in California they’ve been coating their bungs in thick coats of vaseline for quite a while.

[@djbeacon6895]

RobFut 99 Was wondering if KY Jelly will replace beeswax and Vaseline in the future?

[@robfut9954]

@@djbeacon6895 I think they’ve already been experimenting with that in private.

[@matts9102]

I was no fan of the rebranding but since then it has really grown on me.

[@Aircraftsystemst]

I’m struggling with Benromach Ralfy! It’s not a Springbank of Speyside!

[@djscottdog1]

The other thing is when i visited the distillery the spirit in that bottle wasnt even whisky yet , time flys

[@bushtucker88]

Greetings Ralfy! Please review the predecessor Benromach 100 proof 10yo 57% abv, if you can get your hands on it. Thanks!

[@rhodes1591]

ye, running to get 2 little bottles … for starters. 🏃🏻 🙏🏻

[@garysusick1653]

I have access to both Ontario (LCBO) and Quebec (SAQ) liquor stores. The only Benromach release that is currently available in either province is the Constrasts: Organic ABV 46%. What are your thoughts on this whisky?

[@robfut9954]

I tried it and was not a huge fan sadly. I wanted to like it, but it tastes much younger than it was.

[@brian6x]

We Canadians get screwed again :(

[@khaliddurrani6432]

Isn’t it unfair to deprive the good Angel its due share and loose the sublime touch??

[@hamo4558]

Was there any Peat smoke in your Batch ? I just purchased the 2010 Batch 1 (bottled 2021) & I found it very oaky, peppery & smokey. Its complex too, so I'm making my way to the shoulder or just past to let it sit for a while, hoping it might reveal a bit more of itself.

[@10lauset]

.. Cheers to you. ..

[@iancrombie8862]

Thought you said the 10 was possibly coloured and chill filtered???

[@geerakkers2060]

According to the German, they're obligated to put it on the label same as in Denmark. market its Natural Colour and Nonchill-Filtered.

[@roymaddocks3184]

toward the end of that lengthy video he discovered his mistake

[@scottyblog]

Been sipping this CS for serval years when I can find it. I blended it with other Benromach releases to create a beefier blend and stretch the 10 out. The style of bottling now is horrid. I don’t need to be reminded of the USSR every time I sip this Speysider. Bring back the navy blue and gold with cursive writing.

[@arugono]

Ben 10 is chill filtered no?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . at 43%vol: yes.

[@scrimmy45]

No fear of flavour !

[@Raymaster7482]

About +21yo whiskies which are diluted down before bottling. I believe it's not just taxes but also the kind of comsumers that are targeted here. For example the well earning ppl who are working in finance, banking and so on who spend a lot of money in bars to get a "smooth" sensation ^^"

[@djscottdog1]

The funny one with spring bank is its branding isnt exactly attractive either

[@JazznRealHipHop]

First fill barrels, cask strength, non chill filtered, these are all sweet nothings muh lady whispers to me in the bedroom 😎🥃

[@premier1975]

16:00 Brown sugar?

[@ghantakha5568]

And sale of benromach increased by 60.2%

[@centuriolegion2514]

👍

[@HerbertDuckshort]

We’re going to miss you Ralfy when you take up your new job as head of Tourism Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😉

[@doran22]

I dont mind the new branding to be honest, the old was ugly but charming. The new branding is just anonymous

[@robwightman6357]

Demerara sugar👍

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Hilarious how it's been batch 1 going back to 2006 at least 😂🤣. They do give the year distilled and year bottled so it is transparent but what's up with the batch 1 forever?

[@stevelandwonder4760]

I have a 2009 Batch 4...

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

@@stevelandwonder4760 Good to know. All I have ever seen were batch ones. Guess they make several small batches every year?

[@tizianobabbi3218]

I liked the old label better, too. But when you see the new branded Benromach on the shelves among other whisky bottles, they stand out with that red and white color scheme. Maybe the marketing guys were not that wrong, for once. Just saying...

[@osirisgolad]

I don't mind the new branding. It would be even worse if they now went and spent a boat load of money to change it a second time. Leave that money for the casks, the ingredients and the staff. People always moan when things change, if they wait long enough this branding will become the new periodic fashion.

[@andrewmainprice2179]

Nothing wrong with the branding

[@royale4318]

Half a teaspoon = 30ml ?!?!?!?! Where the hell are you buying your teaspoons? 😅 One assumes you meant 3ml, not 30?