The Benromach 2012 Contrasts: Air Dried Oak is a distinguished single malt Scotch whisky hailing from the renowned Speyside region of Scotland. Distilled in 2012 and meticulously bottled in 2023 after a decade of maturation in specially selected air-dried virgin oak casks, this limited-edition release is a testament to Benromach's dedication to craftsmanship and innovation. As part of the Contrasts range, it aims to highlight the profound impact that different oak drying methods have on the whisky’s flavor profile. This particular variant benefits from the unique characteristics imparted by oak casks that have been air-dried for 36 months, a standard practice in the industry. The result is a whisky with an intricate bouquet of rich and spicy aromas, featuring notes of toffee, citrus zest, and lightly smoked oak. Upon tasting, the palate is greeted with complex layers of black pepper, toasted oats, and menthol, creating a nuanced and engaging experience. Sweet vanilla fudge aromas interlace with toasted cereal and citrus blossom, leading to smooth yet peppery flavors on the palate, complemented by vanilla, fresh peppermint, and oak. The finish is characterized by a lingering subtle smoke. Bottled at a robust 46% ABV, the Benromach 2012 Contrasts: Air Dried Oak exemplifies the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Founded in 1898, the Benromach distillery has a storied history marked by various ownership changes and periods of closure. It experienced a revival when it was acquired by Gordon & MacPhail, who undertook extensive refurbishments, culminating in the release of the first whisky in 2009, a 10-year-old. This limited release is one of two from the Contrasts series, offering whisky enthusiasts a unique chance to explore and compare the flavors resulting from different maturation techniques.
This whisky is matured in air-dried virgin oak barrels for 10 years, which imparts distinct rich and spicy aromas, as well as complex flavor notes of black pepper, toasted oats, and menthol.
Air-drying the oak casks for 36 months allows them to develop unique characteristics, resulting in a whisky with a rich and spicy aroma profile and a complex palate featuring toffee, citrus zest, and lightly smoked oak.
This whisky is bottled at a robust 46% ABV, providing a bold and full-bodied drinking experience.
The Benromach 2012 Contrasts: Air Dried Oak is a masterful example of how meticulous maturation and expert craftsmanship can create a truly exceptional whisky. The air-dried oak barrels endowed this spirit with a rich and complex character, balancing spicy, sweet, and smoky elements that linger beautifully on the palate. This release is a must-try for whisky aficionados and a shining star in Benromach's impressive portfolio.
Spirit Radar is my daily tool that become crucial for my busines. As an independent bottler I follow my bottles (The Colours of Rum) on various e-commerce sites. On the other hand, a spirits' collector I use Spirit Radar to chase bottles I want to buy or sell. I also use "my collection" tool to value my own bottles. Spirit Radar become really useful and I can see the team works systematically to improve the app. I will surely remain loyal user.
CEO Wealth Solutions SA
We have used Spirit Radar since the very beginning. Both in our business and for private use. It is a fantastic tool to keep you updated in the market. It can be very time consuming to find an exact bottle somewhere in the world, but with Spirit Radar, you can get that information within seconds. We have also used it when we need to keep track of our bottles and see what our customers wants. Besides that, its an interesting platform, when you want to explore the rum world, or search for bottles that could be really hard to find in the normal stores. It is very easy and intuitive to use.
MasterTaster at RomDeLuxe
Spirit Radar gathers as much information and data as possible about each bottle. We have collected historical offers and auctions for each bottle, sometimes dating back to 2012.
We constantly check every site for new and updated offers. When a bottle becomes in stock, we know it within minutes.
We use all this data to compute the market value of each bottle. As a result, you can see the price trend of each bottle and find the best place to buy it.
In addition, we constantly expand our database: we add new bottles, online stores, and auction portals. Find new releases and rare bottles for the best prices.
Spirit Radar allows you to add bottles to your watch list. When we find a bottle from your watch list in stock, we will send you a notification. You can also set a maximum price you are willing to pay, and we will ignore all more expensive offers.
We check every site multiple times a day, the hottest bottles even every few minutes. You will be one of the first to know when a bottle becomes available to buy.
When we find an auction of a bottle you watch, we will notify you before it ends. You can disable all auction-related notifications or disable them for individual bottles.
Do you know the current value of your collection? And how has it grown during the last 30 days? Spirit Radar makes it simple. Just add bottles to your collection and enter purchase prices.
Every day, you'll get an updated value of your collection and how much you gained since you purchased the bottles. These statistics are provided for your entire collection, as well as for individual bottles.
Security is our top priority. Only you can see your collection and statistics.