Benromach Contrasts: Air Dried Oak 2012 Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 70cl

The more aromatic and fruit-forward of the two virgin oak Contrasts expressions — and a beautifully revealing window into how the preparation of the wood shapes the character of the finished whisky. The Air Dried Oak uses American virgin oak staves that have been left to dry naturally outdoors for three full years in the Missouri sunshine before being fashioned into casks — the longer, more patient drying process allowing the oak's natural tannins to soften gradually, producing a more delicate, aromatic wood that imparts a sweeter, more fruit-forward vanilla character than accelerated kiln drying achieves. Distilled in 2012 using Benromach's customary lightly peated malt and matured entirely in these air-dried virgin American oak casks — wood that has never previously held any other liquid — with the result showcasing Benromach's classic Speyside character in an exceptionally aromatic and fruit-led register. Non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV as part of the Contrasts series