Das erste Fass, das nach der Übernahme der Speyside-Brennerei Benromach durch den unabhängigen Abfüller Gordon & MacPhail produziert wurde, ist sicherlich ein Stück Brennereigeschichte. Am 21. August dieses Jahres hat man es in der Brennerei abgefüllt – genau 20 Jahre nach dessen Befüllung – und macht es so Whiskyfreunden zugänglich. Signiert wurde es übrigens bei der Befüllung von Prince Charles, dem Prinzen von Wales.
580 Flaschen des Benromach Cask No. 1 sind es geworden, die man exklusiv über das Besucherzentrum erhalten kann. Bestellbar ist es ab heute direkt bei der Destillerie, erhältlich werden die Dekanter ab 15. Oktober sein. Der Preis: 1.000 Britische Pfund, die zur Gänze an kartitative Organisationen gehen werden.
Der Benromach Cask No. 1 wird in einer aufwendigen Holzbox präsentiert. Jede Flasche ist einzeln nummeriert und ein Echtheitszertifikat, das vom Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank signiert ist, ist ebenfalls beigelegt, so wie ein spezielles Booklet. Keith Cruickshank war übrigens bei der Befüllung und der Entleerung des Fasses dabei.
Geschmacklich wird der mit 60.1% abgefüllte Whisky von Keith Cruickshank so beschrieben:
Pour your dram of Benromach Cask No. 1 and prepare your senses to encounter an experience as rare as this gorgeous whisky. First, lift your glass to the light and appreciate the beautiful deep golden hue created by lingering for many years in a single First Fill Sherry Butt as the whisky grew and matured in character. Take a short inhalation, appreciating the wonderful aromas without water…enjoy the rich notes of stewed raisin and plum, mingling with sweet vanilla, milk chocolate, cinnamon and clove. Traces of sweet fudge and zingy orange peel develop with lingering roasted hazelnut.
Now take a sip to experience deliciously sweet and creamy notes with a hint of cracked black pepper developing on the tongue. Tangy orange marmalade, smooth chocolate and roasted coffee bean complement hints of rich fruits and warm spices, leading to charred oak on the finish. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops… top notes of sweet vanilla and butterscotch aromas mingle with raisin and hints of lemongrass. Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… a creamy sweetness combining with milk chocolate, baked apple and cinnamon.
Uns hat auch nachfolgende englischsprachige Pressemitteilung zu dieser Neuveröffentlichung erreicht:
Rare whisky marks 20th anniversary at Benromach Distillery
All profits from the sale of Benromach Cask No 1 single malt whisky will be donated to charitable causes
Twenty years after family owned Benromach Distillery was reopened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay, a rare single malt whisky has been released to mark the occasion.
Benromach Cask No 1 is an incredibly rare and limited-edition expression taken from the first cask that was laid down when the distillery reopened after many years of closure. The cask itself was signed by HRH The Duke of Rothesay, Prince Charles, during the distillery’s official reopening ceremony on 15th October 1998.
Marking a defining moment in the distillery’s history and a key date in this year’s 20th anniversary celebrations, all profits from the sale of Benromach Cask No 1 will be donated to charitable causes.
The whisky, which was bottled on the 21st August 2018 exactly 20 years after it was filled, is a cask strength (60.1% abv) 1998 vintage. All 575 bottles of this incredibly rare expression will be sold exclusively through Benromach Distillery’s Visitor Centre with a RRP of £1,000. Pre-orders can be placed from today (3rd September) with decanters available from 15th October 2018.
Benromach Cask No 1 was matured in a First Fill Sherry Butt and has a sumptuous vintage character of rich fruits, smooth chocolate and warm spices, with hints of zingy citrus, coffee bean and charred oak.
Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over five years before it was officially opened on 15th October 1998 by HRH The Duke of Rothesay.
Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, owners of Benromach Distillery, said:
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary since Benromach was brought back to life, it is fitting that the Urquhart family has decided to donate all the profits from the sale of this product to charitable causes. This incredibly rare expression marks a significant moment in Benromach’s history and we look forward to seeing what the next 20 years will bring.”
Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, joined as a distiller in 1998. He said:
„I was proud to witness HRH The Duke of Rothesay sign the first cask of our own distilled spirit 20 years ago. This unique single cask offers whisky lovers the chance to own, savour and share an incredibly special moment in the history of the Benromach Distillery.
Benromach Cask No 1 is a treasured bottle and is the oldest and most exclusive whisky to be launched as part of the Classic range since the distillery was revived. Part of our Classic range of Speyside single malt scotch whiskies, it offers succulent blackberries and stewed damson plum with a hint of roasted hazelnut and charred oak on the finish.”
The double doors of the striking wooden presentation box open to reveal the decanter which displays the distillation and bottling date, as well as the date the distillery was first established – 1898. Each decanter is closed with a copper stopper, reminiscent of Benromach’s gleaming copper stills.
All 575 decanters are individually numbered and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager. A beautifully written hardback book accompanies the whisky, themed around the idea of firsts, which captures the time-honoured craftsmanship employed in every spirit cut and hand-filled cask of Benromach, beginning with Cask No 1 and continuing today with every cask that is laid down.
Benromach is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to use traditional methods, without any automated machinery. The small team of distillers employ all their senses when crafting the classic Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies, managing the process by sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste.
