Benromach Contrasts Organic 2013/2022 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Organic whisky sounds like something invented last week. Benromach started in 2006, and the entire chain from barley to bottle is certified — something nobody had done before them.

The expert's description

Benromach Contrasts Organic 2013/2022 is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in virgin American oak and bottled at 46 %.

The whisky was distilled in 2013 and bottled in 2022 after nine years in virgin American oak casks. It is neither chill filtered nor coloured, and the entire production is accredited by the British Soil Association from field to bottle.

Benromach launched the world's first fully certified organic single malt in 2006. The Contrasts range is the distillery's playground, where they push one variable at a time — here both the organic barley and the completely new wood.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sweet malt, banana and creamy vanilla. Virgin oak gives a clear sawdust freshness and a hint of coconut.

Palate

Malt rich and creamy with pepper, coffee and cocoa. The new oak pulls the whisky towards a carpenter's workshop and toasted sugar rather than the soft bourbon vanilla most people know.

Finish

Medium long, dry and spicy with cocoa, oak and a warm peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Benromach Contrasts Organic 2013/2022 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Benromach
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 9 years
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Virgin American oak
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2013
Bottled: 2022
Edition: Contrasts: Organic
EAN no.: 5020613091160

Flavour profile

Creamy · Spicy · Vanilla · Cocoa · New oak

Did you know?

Virgin oak is almost never used for Scotch whisky, because it can overwhelm the spirit in a few years. Benromach could use it here because their distillate is powerful enough to stand up to fresh wood.

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Frequently asked questions about Benromach Contrasts Organic 2013/2022 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

What does organic mean in a whisky?

That the barley is grown without artificial fertiliser and chemical pesticides, and that the entire process — mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation and bottling — takes place under certified control. Benromach's production is accredited by the Soil Association throughout.

Does organic whisky taste different?

You cannot taste the farming method directly. What you taste here is the wood: virgin American oak gives a far more spiced and cocoa driven character than reused bourbon casks.

Is it peated like the regular Benromach?

No. Contrasts Organic uses unpeated organic malt, so the peat smoke is absent entirely. It is one of the few Benromach expressions without smoke.

What is the Contrasts range?

Benromach's series of experiments, where the distillery changes one thing at a time — grain variety, cask type or peating level — and shows what it does to the whisky. The range is designed as a comparison rather than as standalone releases.

Who is it for?

For the curious drinker who wants something other than the usual Speyside profile. If you prefer spiced and malt rich over sweet and fruity, it lands well. There are further alternatives under Speyside Whisky.

Why does the label show both 2013 and 2022?

Those are the distillation and bottling years, which together give the age of nine years. Benromach state both on the Contrasts range, so you can track exactly which batch you have.