Judging value in a 21yo has become very difficult. A decade ago, 21yo whiskies were often only twice as expensive as the standard bottling, 18yos were approximately 30% above standard. Then 18yos moved gradually in the factor 2, later factor 3 region and 21yos are now frequently in the factor 5 - 8 range and above. Not to mention Macallan or Springbank... From that perspective, the Benromach 21yo is in good price company with the Glenlivets, Glenfiddichs, Aberfeldys and other big brands.
It's pricey, but still affordable within the context of a modern 21 year old offering. Unfortunately, as you pointed out, modern 21 year old offerings have gone up in price. For me anything with a 21 year age statement qualifies as premium. There's a law of diminishing returns with aged whiskies. I might give the whisky a good score, then still knock it in terms of value.
Benromach is a great Springbank substitute. I have not tried the 21-Y but I for me, the 10-Y is better than the 15-Y but the Cask strength vintages are the best
Disagree on presentation only. It’s a beautiful simple and classy bottle. Much nicer than the flashy over expressed labels out there. For me this is probably the nicest designed bottles on the market right now. Loved your review as always tho. Buying my new bottles pretty much based on your reviews 😉
It's like you read my mind. I got a promo mail from WhiskyKingdom about this one. Well hopefully I can get the 15 year and get that split to splurge on the 21 year. I am curious about it. Thanks for the super helpful review again.
I'm a huge fan of their 15 (and I'm waiting to taste their 10) which I lurve for its 'lilting hint of peat', which is a peatiness very different from the Islay peat smoke. Your review shunted this 21 from my 'next step up' (18-20+ y.o. Scotch) list. I'll stay with the 15, which sells for $100 US here, the 18 bumps up to $200. I'm not willing to do that. It's heartening to hear a reviewer say that the younger expressions are just fine values when compared to the older ones, because age is so obviously used to pad the price on Scotch. Marketing 'time is money'.
Great review and contrast. I see no reason to buy a 43%abv chill filtered whisky..I would certainly take your advice and buy the 15...Peat and sherry go very well together.. I can only assume this is $200+us... Cheers buddy
Been hearing that Benromach cld b a Springbank “funk” alternative but can anyone rec smthg NOT sweet? I particularly love red wine caskings, esp peaty Longrow Reds, for the dry & tannin side of the ‘fruity’ plalate. Mayb a Benromach single cask or cask strength release?
Thanks Geoff ... managed to get the remains of a Thompsons manuka whiskey bottle from a friend so I'm on the hunt for more NZ stuff to post ... stand by.
Love to see you compare 10 v 15 v 21 in terms of progression and if possible value for money. I still have old bottling of 10 year old which I really enjoy for its different profile. I enjoy your reviews with excellent descriptions but please do some range comparisons. Shake up the format :) thanks
Sounds very interesting! More bourbon-forward might work on me, though the 12yo heavy sherry style really gets me. Anyway, as a Benromach fan, I will try all their core range eventually. 🥃🥃🥃
Bottling 21 yo malt whisky at 43% ABV for me is equal to castration and absolute "NO GO" in terms of possible purchase. IMHO, low ABV and chill filtration are the major drawbacks that keep Benromach from reaching Springbank quality level. I have tasted their 10 yo in the fancy old bottle. Liked it a lot but either because I kinda rushed the bottle or because of the low ABV the malt fell a little short for me. Have a bottle of the 10 yo 100 proof expression still unopened which I have high expectations for. The pre-rebranding bottles of Benromach were very good value on Bulgarian market. As for the new range, there is no stable supply of it for Bulgaria. BTW, I love the old bottle design. The new one may be very well put together but for my non-expert eyes is plain "meh" :) Cheers!
Yeah Benromach is an anomaly. Widely respected by enthusiasts, always natural colour, some absolutely killer cask strength options, and coming from IB pedigree. WHY are their standard bottlings still 43%? I'm still a sucker for them even at a lower abv, but I get why they're on a lot of ppls naughty list.
Benromach, Benriach. Not only are the names similar, but the bottle shape is almost identical and the labels seem to have similar fonts and label design. Today I went to buy the Benriach 10 original, and almost came out with the Benromach by mistake. I preferred the old label anyhow. Doing a Deanston, is what I’d call it.😄
I agree with you on this one. It's frustrating they bottle these at 43%, as I feel they have so much more potential. The viscosity and mouthfeel of this was super disappointing, and I couldn't help but feel it could've had a much longer finish, and developed a lot more on the palate if they just bottled it at 46% or more. Just when it starts to develop and become something more, it just drops the ball. WHY did they do this to us?!
I can't believe I missed this review given my dive into your content. And on top of that, I've got this bottle on my TWE wishlist and something I'm seriously considering buying overseas and shipped to me in CA. (early next year.) Glad my "twin brother tongue ...from another mother ...and father ... ...and country" is giving me his take. lol. Given I have to pay $118 plus $56 S+H, ...I'm probably going to put this down and move on. That kind of money needs to buy me something exceptional.
Yeah sadly I don't think this one shines as bright as a lot of the more affordable core range. It's still delicious, but the higher the age and the higher the price, the higher my expectations. I still prefer the CS. Cheers!
I strongly preferred the old bottle design of Benromach! It was different and special. The new design is terribly boring and interchangeable, just to phrase it mildly... I am very happy to have a few old bottles on my shelves.
That’s the idea tho. In our world everything is over expressed. Flashy. Has to be always something extraordinary. I feel the simplicity is actually reflecting their brand way much more than the previous lines. I guess we’re just different. Simple isn’t always boring. I see it more like classy
Until recently the older packaging was around here too and for very reasonable prices. Have two of the CS batch 1 bottles stashed. Although they say there is the same Whisky in the new packaging people like Ralfy have said the sour bitter elements he enjoyed have been reduced or eliminated from the new bottles ? Still haven't gotten the 15 as am such a fan boy of the CS can't get past them 😁
Not for me this one. I can almost forgive 43% in the 10 year old as it's usually a good price but not at this price point. Have got the Peat Smoke Sherry Cask on the go at the moment - an interesting one. Sweeter than I expected but it's starting to open up as I get into the bottle and is revealing some more savoury, meaty notes.
Can't do it. I have a 2006 peat smoke, fantastic. The neverending batch 1 CS..any day but 43%.....are we to say "at least it's not 40 like the Glenlivet"? I just picked up a Glen Moray 21 at 46.3% for $10 less. The GlenCadam is $15 more. I see the whole Benromach core range at a few places but I need those boxes ticked. The industry is going to show some respect for us someday. First they have to show a bit of self respect.
Yeah you've always been pretty firm with that stance, which is admirable. There are whiskies that I enjoy at 43% (or more precisely despite being 43%), and Benromach has always been one of them. The 15 might be the highest score I've given to a 43% whisky, and the house style always delivers for me. But yeah a 21 year old is officially premium territory, and this would obviously be way better at a higher strength. They should (and do) know better...
@@Gwhisky like the great philosopher Jules Winnfield says " it may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'm not going" to buy it. I really like boxes that need to be ticked. When I'm shopping, in person ( no need to internet whisky) and there's a decent selection I'm only buying one or 2 bottles. Easier to make a decision when I eliminate inferior choices. I buy interesting options when I see them. I buy official bottles if they're already on my radar. I am limited by monthly budget and space. If I had more cabinets and more money....an affordable CS always goes to the top of the pile. I bought that Glen Moray 21 instead of a 15 year indie bottle, betting on which one might still be on the shelf in a week as they were single bottles. The indie is gone but a case of GM showed the next week. Sad I couldn't get both. Whisky troubles. I'm not much for a full lineup of any one distillery. It's cherry picking and luck, what I have in the collection.
