Benromach Contrasts: Cara Gold Malt Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 70cl
One of the most intriguing and vivacious releases in the Benromach Contrasts series — and the one that most directly explores the influence of the grain itself on the character of the finished whisky. Cara Gold is a heritage barley variety far more commonly found in craft beer brewing than in whisky distillation, typically prized by brewers for the tropical, perfumed fruit notes it brings to Golden Ales. At Benromach, distillery manager Keith Cruickshank blended it with the distillery's standard lightly peated malt to create a spirit of genuinely surprising aromatic vivacity — the Cara Gold barley contributing a lychee, passionfruit, and lime-forward brightness quite unlike anything in the core range — before maturing the combination in first-fill bourbon barrels for eleven years. Limited to just 6,300 bottles globally, distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2022, non-chill filtered.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE
Perfumed and delightfully tropical — passionfruit, lychee, and lime lead with pineapple, citrus blossom, creamy butter, malted biscuit, floral honey, and a clean sweet barley character — vibrant, fresh, and immediately captivating.
PALATE
Smooth and sweet with pineapple, juicy apricot, and baked apple leading into toasted malt, butterscotch, subtle pepper, warm oak, and vanilla custard — the gentle Benromach smoke threading through with characteristic elegance.
FINISH
Vibrant, fruity, and sweetly smoky — sweet smoke, citrus zest, toasted malt, and a hint of salted caramel butter fading with warmth and grace.
ABV: 46% ABV