Benromach Imperial Proof is bottled at the traditional English 100 proof which translates to a 57% ABV. You might be looking at that and saying to yourself “shouldn’t that be 117 proof?” You’d be 100% correct in asking yourself that, and if we were talking about modern proofing you’d also be 100% correct, but we’re kicking it olde school here.
Back in “the day” sailors would often get rum as part of their rations / payment and to be sure they were getting good quality rum as payment for their services they needed proof that it hadn’t been watered down. That proof came in the form of mixing some of the rum with gunpowder and seeing if it lit. If it lit then that was proof that it wasn’t watered down and eventually became known as 100 proof which equaled about 57% ABV. Over time, here in the USA, it became easier to just double the ABV to get your “proof” and 100 proof no longer required lighting gunpowder on fire. Benromach Imperial Proof is a nod to that origin and in the UK is sold as Benromach 100 proof.
Benromach Imperial Proof Info
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Distiller: Benromach
Mashbill: 100% Malted barley
Cask: 80% ex-Bourbon, 20% ex-Sherry & 12 month Oloroso cask finish
Age: 10 years
ABV: 57%
Price: $66*
Benromach Imperial Proof Review
EYE
Yellowish brown
NOSE
Brown sugar and rich fruit lift out of the glass first followed by equally rich notes of sweet malty goodness, butterscotch, buttered toast and toffee – all topped off with a bit of smoky peat. Nuanced and dimensional, it’s a great smelling whisky.
PALATE
Thick velvety notes of butterscotch heavy dark sweets, tropical fruit, orchard fruit, malt and vanilla. Bits of red licorice, spice, cocoa and peat add more depth to the dram and the bit of mint towards the end caps it nicely.
FINISH
Long and fruity with great notes of malt, butterscotch, vanilla, “sweetness” and mint.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Fantastic balance, rich full body and a soft supple feel despite its 117 proof.
OVERALL
Benromach Imperial Proof has a rich thick aroma that changes and evolves wonderfully with the addition of water and a palate that follows suite. From sweet and fruity to earthy and smoky this whisky has a complex character that runs throughout and retains a great balance with or without water. I can’t help but enjoy every single second of this whisky.
The Benromach Imperial Proof is just now launching here in the USA and so it isn’t on too many shelves here in the states just yet, but will be soon and if you get the chance to try it don’t pass it up. It’s everything that’s tasty and lovely about its lower proof brother, Benromach 10, taken up a few notches.
SCORE: 92/100
*Disclosure: This sample of Benromach Imperial Proof was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
