Benromach Contrasts: Kiln Dried Oak (D.2012, B.2023) /46%/ 0.7l

In 2020, Benromach Distillery announced the launch of the Contrasts series, which will feature non-standard versions of this single malt, including the previously known Peat Smoke, Organic and Triple Distilled.

In 2023, it was joined by two limited editions – Air Dried Oak and Kiln Dried Oak, both based on whisky distilled in 2012. The former was aged in virgin oak barrels that air-dried for 36 months. The latter used oak barrels that air-dried for 24 months and an additional 12 months in a wood-drying kiln. Both whiskies were bottled at 46% abv and unchill-filtered.

Nose: Stronger oak notes than its sister version, brown sugar, a touch of vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, lemon and orange peel and peat smoke in the background.

Palate: Slightly waxy, candied lemon peel, pineapple, lychee, vanilla, cinnamon, white pepper, candied ginger, toasted oak and a light whiff of smoke.

Finish: fairly long, with notes of oak, sweet smoke, caramel, roasted peanuts, cinnamon and white pepper.