2014BenromachContrastsPeatSmokeBourbonCaskMaturedSingleMaltScotchWhisky(700ml)

Sans Two exceptions to the Highland standard are mainland distilleries that use peat for their entire output: They are Benromach and the newly re-opened Brora. Ardmore is the third smokey Highlander, but they also offer an unpeated malt for the blended market. At Benromach, most of the barley is peated to around 10-12ppm, but for a few weeks of the year they dial that up dramatically. This latest instalment sees the phenol levels peak at 57ppm (that’s higher than Ardbeg!) Bottled in 2023 and matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, the whisky boasts fragrant vanilla notes, which lead to lemon sherbet and apricot, finishing with smoky bonfire embers. It’s what some tasters describe as “the dirty side of Speyside”. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered