The Speyside based Benromach Distiller, has today announced
the launch of two new expressions from its Contrasts range.
Benromach Contrasts Air (46% ABV) and Benromach Contrasts Kiln
(46% ABV) are single malt Scotch whiskies distilled in 2012, which are said to showcase
the subtle nuances and flavours generated by different techniques used to dry
the wooden staves that make up their respective casks.
Benromach launches two new Contrasts range bottlings
Benromach Contrasts Air, which features oak which has been air dried for three years before toasting, is said to deliver notes of sweet vanilla fudge, mixed citrus, oak and underlying smoke on the nose. Followed by notes of cracked black pepper, citrus, toasted cereal, fresh garden mint and oak on the palate.
Benromach Contrasts Kiln, which features whisky matured oak
that was air dried for two years then put in a kiln to accelerate the drying
process, is said to deliver notes of waxy lemon peel, toffee apple, sweet hay
and malt biscuit on the nose. Followed by notes of pineapple, barley sugar,
fresh lime and ginger on the palate.
Commenting on the launch, Keith Cruickshank, Distillery
Manager at Benromach, said: “At Benromach, our aim is to always produce whisky
by hand that has real, genuine character. Our Contrasts range allows us to
experiment and explore new flavours. These two new whiskies were created from a
deliberate experiment to see if different approaches to drying wood might have
an impact on the flavours. They demonstrate how small changes can have a
significant effect on taste – and that’s the intriguing nature of the air- and
kiln-dried variants.”
Keith went onto say: “We usually use virgin oak casks only
with our Contrasts Organic whisky, so it’s been a great chance to see how our
traditional lightly peated spirit reacts to this cask type, as well as the air
drying versus kiln drying stave preparation. It will be exciting to see how
whisky drinkers interpret the drams and their differences, and hearing which
one they prefer and why.”
Benromach Contrasts Air and Benromach Contrasts Kiln, will
be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £59.99
each.
Posted by Steve Rush