Following on from the previous review of the Benromach Triple Distilled, let’s try something a bit familiar from the same distillery, though there is still a slight twist involved.
Like their experimentation with the Triple Distilled, I trust that Benromach are putting their spirit in different casks because they want to know what the effect will be. The wood finish series also includes Hermitage and Sassicaia finished whiskies, finishes which are not really seen outside of Benromach or Gordon and MacPhail bottlings.
The Benromach Château Cissac finish started life in ex-bourbon casks in 2009. Like most Benromach expressions, the malt was peated to around 15 parts per million. The twist comes in the form of the red wine cask finishing. Château Cissac wine is produced in the Hait-Médoc wine region of France, which is situated near Bordeaux. The spirit was moved into these casks for a 25 month finish before bottling at 45% abv.
The Château Cissac finish costs around £40 and there are still some of the 4,200 bottles left.
Benromach Château Cissac Finish – 45% – £40
Nose – Woody peat smoke initially, but this quickly recedes to a huge hit of banana. Just a ridiculous amount for something that has at no point been anywhere near a banana. It’s backed up by caramel and a creaminess, basically, it’s the whole banana cream pie under a cloche filled with smoke. There’s a charred edge added by the peat, the flavours certainly work well together. Sweet vanilla and icing sugar with time, alongside melon and green apple. 7.5
Palate – not as forthcoming as the nose. The same flavours are present, more flambéed banana here. Perhaps pancakes to go alongside them, seasoned with salt. Freshness comes in the form of more green apples. A definite oak influence with peppery spice and char. 7
Finish – mainly smoke, a little fruity sweetness. 6
Total Score: 20.5 / 30
A lovely and evocative nose with a palate that holds up too. I initially had this down as being straightforward, but on reflection there are a lot of flavours for an eight year old whisky. I really like this, it’s slighty like the Balvenie 14 Year Old Peat Week (I got the smoked bananas there too) but with everything turned up louder in the Benromach.
At £40 for a peated, wine cask finished limited release, this is good value and I’m going to track down a bottle before they’re all gone.
Peak Whisky 
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